Visa Travel

Some nations are eligible for a visa on arrival to South Africa when traveling from Dubai, check your eligibility below.

South Africa is located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. Many UAE citizens schedule to visit South Africa during the summer of 2025. Cape Town, the capital, is a sophisticated city, yet you can still find traditional culture and breathtaking coastlines. Seeing the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo) in one day is rare, but you can get it in South Africa. People come to South Africa for the opportunity to have wonderful experiences all at once. It would be a fantastic activity for both parents and children to undertake when traveling with their families.  

Traveling to South Africa from Dubai

UAE residents who plan to visit South Africa in 2025 will require a visa to enter. Many wonder if flying from Dubai is possible to visit South Africa using a visa on arrival. Yes, you can get visa on arrival if you are a passport holder from these countries:

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Ethiopia, Maldives, Bolivia, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia,  Timor Leste, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Guinea-Bissau Cape Verde, Somalia,  Comoros, Djibouti, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Marshall islands,  Nigeria, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu.

If your nationality is India or another countries that is not mentioned above, it means you need to apply for a visa to be able visit South Africa. A visa simply means that your application has been reviewed by a South African embassy, mission, or consulate, and the consular officer has determined that you are eligible to enter the country for the reason you stated. In this case you will need to prepare some documents that are required.  

Here’s are the requirements documents: 

1. Visa Application Form 

Fill out the South Africa visa application form using black ink only.

2. Passport & Residence Visa

Passports and residency permits must be valid for at least six months. It should also include at least two blank pages for visas and entry/exit stamps.

3. Passport Copies

Submit the original passport alongside a copy of all required pages.

4. Photos

Two passport-sized photos (35x45mm) with a white background and the photos should be within the last 6 months.

5. Proof of Financial Means 

You need to submit salary advances, an authenticated copy of your bank statement for the last three months, and proof of sponsorship by the host in South Africa.

6. Proof of Insurance

You need to submit the copies of your travel insurance policy are required as proof of coverage. You may also include a letter of certification from the service's supplier.

7.  Flight Itinerary

You must submit your trip itinerary, which includes the dates you will travel to and return from South Africa. You can use copies of your Round trip flight tickets.

8. Hotel Bookings 

Copies of your hotel bookings during the stay in South Africa

9. Apply as UAE Residence

You must provide a valid UAE or Dubai residency visa for at least three months from the date you leave South Africa.

10. Yellow Fever Certificate 

Yellow Fever Certificate needed if coming from or passing through a yellow fever zone. But you are not required if travelling directly from Dubai and recently not in a yellow fever area.

If all the requirements documents are set, you are ready to apply for a South Africa’s visa. 

Submission and Payment

1. Input the visa application, then print and complete the visa application form, and prepare any other extra documents in case it is needed. 

2. Applicants must submit and pay  the application in person at the VFS visa application centre. 

3. Applications Submission will be accepted and proceed only after verifying all required documents and receiving full payment.

Visa approval

When the visa is approved, you will be notified by the embassy. Then you can collect your South Africa Tourist Visa. However, applications for visas could get denied. That is why it is critical to evaluate your application before submitting it. However, you can resubmit your visa and begin over, including any missing requirements.

If you are having difficulty applying for a South Africa visa from Dubai or for UAE citizens, Arooha Leisure has the expertise to support you. Please take steps to reach us to ensure the smooth processing of your visa application.