10 Dec How to Extend Your South African Tourist Visa
Extending your South African tourist visa is vital when ensuring you’re not declared undesirable and can return to South Africa after your visa expires. To extend your tourist visa, you should:
● Create a VFS account and fill out the form.
● Schedule and pay for your appointment.
● Print all your documents.
● Attend your appointment and collect your receipt.
● Wait for your outcome.
● Collect the verdict from VFS.
You’ll have more time to explore our stunning landscapes, spend time with friends and loved ones, immerse yourself in our dynamic culture, and experience uninterrupted adventure. Ninety days just isn’t enough to soak in all that South Africa offers.
Read on for a more in-depth guide to immigration and extending your travel visa. We’ll discuss how to deal with VFS, how to extend it, and what to do if your extension application gets denied.
How Do You Apply for a South Africa Visa Extension?
First, you’ll need to make an account with VFS, South Africa’s visa extension service. VFS is the channel through which expats submit applications to the Department of Home Affairs—South Africa’s Centre of Civil Services.
Visa Renewal Details
You’ll need to apply for a Temporary Residence Visa, which grants you an extra 90 days. We recommend booking your appointment for the 30th day of your stay in South Africa, as your extension usually starts from the day of your outcome decision.
When the system requests your application subtype, input “TRV – renewal visa”.
After that, you’ll need to complete your citizenship details: your name, the country you’re from, marital details, and more. You should also include proof you have enough funds to stay in South Africa, at least €5,000.
Pay for and Schedule Your Appointment
You can’t make a visa appointment until you’ve paid the R1,975 fee. The fee is made up of two charges, R1,550 online and R425 at your appointment. After that, you’ll be taken to a calendar screen where you choose the location and date of where you would like your appointment. Be sure to choose an appointment that’s available at least 60 days before your visa expires, as VFS takes at least two months to reach a decision outcome.
Be sure to print and keep your receipt and appointment letter safe.
Attend Your Appointment
Your appointment will probably take an hour or two. An agent will check all of your documents are present and in order. If they are, you’ll submit your documents to a second agent and you’ll pay R425 (if you didn’t pay for it online). You’ll get a signed receipt to keep with your other documents, which you should keep very safe.
Wait for Your Outcome
When your outcome has been decided, VFS will email you. You can also track your application online using your tracking number and surname. You can find your tracking number in your appointment confirmation email.
To obtain your outcome, you’ll need to make another VFS appointment and wait in line again. If your appointment is approved, you’ll receive a sticker in your passport.
What If My Visa Extension Application Is Declined?
If your visa extension application is denied, you’ll receive a letter explaining why and the documents you must bring to appeal the decision.
If your extension is declined and you’ve overstayed your initial visa, bring all your documents to the airport to prove you did everything legally. You will have ten working days in which to leave South Africa. Should you like to appeal the decision, you must appeal at VFS and submit another visa application.
June Luna Immigration Attorneys can help you with your visa extension. From helping you collect documents and proving funds to appealing visa outcomes, we’ll assist you in your endeavours to stay in one of the world’s most beautiful countries. Contact us for prompt immigration help from experts.