Cape Town, the Garden Route and Kruger safaris are about eight hours from Dubai, with direct flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town. Entry depends on your passport. Emirati citizens have been visa-free for up to 90 days since 15 August 2019. Most expat passports — Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, Bangladeshi and others — still need a visitor visa, applied for in person through VFS Global in Dubai. South Africa is piloting an electronic visa, but its coverage for these nationalities has not been confirmed.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, VFS Global and published guidance for UAE applicants. Sources at the end.
On this page
- The short answer by passport
- Applying through VFS Dubai
- Documents
- The electronic visa pilot
- Travelling with children
- Questions people ask
The short answer by passport
| Passport | Entry to South Africa |
|---|---|
| UAE | Visa-free, up to 90 days |
| UK, US, EU (most), Australia, Canada | Visa-free, usually up to 90 days |
| India, Pakistan, Philippines, Egypt, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria | Visitor visa before travel, through VFS Global Dubai |
| Where | VFS Global South Africa Visa Application Centre, Dubai |
| Visa fee | ZAR 425 (about AED 88) |
| VFS service fee | Charged on top — confirm on the VFS site |
| Processing | Typically 5 to 15 working days |
| Apply | 4 to 6 weeks before travel |
Applying through VFS Dubai
- Download the checklist and the visitor visa application form (BI-84) from VFS Global South Africa UAE.
- Book an appointment at the Dubai centre.
- Attend in person with originals and copies; fingerprints are taken.
- Pay the visa fee and VFS service fee.
- Track the application and collect your passport. The visa is a sticker in your passport.
Documents
- Passport valid at least 30 days beyond your departure from South Africa, with at least two blank pages — South Africa is strict about the blank pages. A 6-month margin is safest for airlines.
- Completed and signed BI-84 form, and passport photos.
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Return flight reservation and accommodation or itinerary.
- Certified bank statements for recent months.
- Employer letter or NOC with approved leave.
- If visiting family: an invitation letter and a copy of the host’s ID.
- A yellow fever certificate if your journey passes through a country with yellow fever risk — for example, a connection via Nairobi or Addis Ababa.
The electronic visa pilot
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is rolling out an electronic visitor visa in phases. As of our last check, it had not been confirmed for Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian or Bangladeshi applicants in the UAE, who should continue to use VFS Dubai. Websites selling a “South Africa e-visa” to these nationalities are not official. We will update this guide when Home Affairs confirms wider coverage.
Travelling with children
Children need their own passport and, if they need a visa, their own application. When a child travels with only one parent, carry the other parent’s written consent and the child’s birth certificate. Airlines and immigration can ask for them.
Mistakes to avoid
- A passport with only one blank page.
- Connecting through East Africa without a yellow fever certificate.
- Paying for an unofficial “e-visa”.
- Applying less than three weeks before travel.
Questions people ask
Do UAE citizens need a visa for South Africa?
No. Emiratis have been exempt from pre-entry visas for stays of up to 90 days since 15 August 2019.
Where do Indians in Dubai apply for a South Africa visa?
At VFS Global’s South Africa Visa Application Centre in Dubai, in person, with the BI-84 form.
How long does a South Africa visa take from Dubai?
Typically 5 to 15 working days. Apply 4 to 6 weeks before travel.
Related guides
- Kenya ETA for UAE residents
- Mauritius visa for UAE residents
- Seychelles visa for UAE residents
- UAE bank statement for visa applications
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs, South Africa: dha.gov.za
- Gulf News — Emiratis exempt from pre-entry visa to South Africa, August 2019
- OraVisa — South Africa e-visa for UAE residents, updated 10 September 2026
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly and when the electronic visa expands. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.