South Africa visit visa for Pakistan passport holders

South Africa asks Pakistani passport holders for a visitor's visa before they fly. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation does not list Pakistan among visa-exempt countries, and the Department of Home Affairs does not issue visas at airports or land borders. You must hold a valid visa in your passport when you arrive. Since 1 August 2022, Pakistani ordinary passport holders also need a port of entry or transit visa even if they are only changing planes in South Africa on the way to another country.

In Pakistan, short-stay visitor applications go through VFS Global, which collects documents and biometrics for the South African High Commission. The VFS South Africa–Pakistan site lists a visitor's visa for less than three months at PKR 5,300, plus a US$50 service fee that you pay online when you book the appointment. Without that pre-payment you cannot secure a slot. Normal processing for a short visitor visa is listed as about 10 calendar days, though the mission can take longer if checks are needed.

Bring a complete file. VFS asks for certified copies of supporting documents in most cases, English translations of any foreign-language papers, and photos that meet its size and background rules. Bank statements should be stamped by the bank or backed by a bank letter. If a host in South Africa is inviting you, their invitation and certified copies of their ID or residence papers matter. Incomplete applications are not accepted, and the mission may ask for extra papers at any time.

Do not buy non-refundable tickets before the visa is granted. The High Commission decides the number of entries and the length of stay, and a visa does not guarantee entry. Border officers still check your purpose of travel, funds and return plans. Carry copies of your application documents, hotel bookings and return itinerary when you fly.

South Africa does not publish an official approval or refusal rate for Pakistani applicants. Use only the official VFS Global South Africa–Pakistan pages and the Department of Home Affairs and DIRCO sites for checklists and fees, because third-party sites can list outdated amounts. If you are only transiting, confirm the transit or port-of-entry visa rules that apply to Pakistani ordinary passports before you book the connection.