UAE eVisa Requirements for Citizens of South Africa

Before initiating the eVisa request, we recommend learning about the visa requirements for South African nationals. These detail the countries they can visit with an online visa and what conditions they must meet.

The conditions for the Emirati eVisa for South Africans are standard for international travel and include the following:

• Have a passport issued by the Republic of South Africa with a validity of 180 days on their entry into the UAE
• Provide a digital image of their passport’s information page
• Share a color id photo in digital format
• Use a bank card to pay the eVisa processing fee
• Register their eVisa petition with a frequently accessed email id

South Africans with a passport set to expire in 6 months of their intended arrival must submit it for renewal with their local authorities as soon as possible. They should take care that their digital documents are of readable quality, and the id photo is in color.

It is useful to register the eVisa application with an email address frequently used and to confirm the bank card that will be used to pay the processing fee is activated for internet payments.

Additionally, South African nationals planning a family trip to the UAE will have to share some supporting documents such as digital copies of their family or marriage certificate. They will be able to include their dependents (spouse, minors, or retired family members) in a joint request.

Finally, tourists from South Africa must have their travel itinerary planned beforehand. They will be required to share their Emirates flight number, port of entry, and arrival date.

The process for the electronic visa to visit the UAE is available via an online form. South African citizens will be required to provide the following personal details:

• Full name
• Nationality
• Arrival date
• Emirate they are flying to
• Emirates flight details
• Email address
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Country of birth
• Religion
• Current profession
• Qualifications
• Reason for travel

They will then share some information regarding their passport, such as the document number, issue, and expiry dates, plus the country of issuance. They will then proceed to upload digital copies of their required documents.

It is very important to review all the answers and documents provided carefully since any mistake or missing details could result in the rejection of their eVisa request.

South African nationals conclude the eVisa petition by paying the eVisa processing fee. The payment for the Emirati eVisa is actioned via a secure digital platform, and most international banking cards are authorized.

The Ministry of Interior of the UAE reviews all the applications received by foreign visitors. South African citizens will receive a resolution to their request between 1 and 3 business days.

During busy touristic periods such as New Year,  trade fairs, or the F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, the process could take slightly longer. We recommend applying at least a week before the intended arrival date in the UAE.

If South African applicants have submitted their eVisa forms correctly and meet the requirements, they will be issued an approved eVisa. The electronic visa will be available as a downloadable link in a confirmation email sent to their inbox. Upon receipt, we recommend printing out a copy and keeping it next to their travel documents.

South African citizens are eligible to use the eVisa to enter South Africa upon issuance. They must remember their electronic visa expires after 2 months. If they do not use it to enter the country within this period, they will need a new one.

They must also confirm they reach the UAE via the same airport they include in their eVisa form. Once they land, we recommend they head straight to the queues reserved for eVisa travelers for visitors from South Africa to save time.

Upon reaching a border official, they must submit their passport and printed eVisa to be granted entry into the country.