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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Conference Visa from Bangladesh

    Short Term Visa for attending conferences in South Africa without undertaking paid work.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa Conference Visa is a Short Term Visa for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents of Bangladesh travelling to attend a conference in South Africa, generally for a stay of up to 90 days. It is intended for conference participation where the applicant will not be paid for work by an entity in South Africa; paid work requires the appropriate work visa.

    Applications from Bangladesh are submitted through VFS Global New Delhi under the jurisdiction of the South African High Commission. Applicants can currently attend VFS New Delhi without booking an appointment in advance. 

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport (Original): Original passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended departure from South Africa, with at least two unused/blank visa pages. Submit the current passport together with the required copies.
    2. Previous Passport(s) & Travel History: Full clear copies of previous passports, including relevant visa and immigration pages, where available. Travel history should be presented consistently with the visa application and supporting documents.
    3. Photograph (South Africa Visa Format): Provide 2 recent colour photographs, not older than 1 month, measuring 35 mm x 45 mm, with a white background and meeting the current South Africa visa photo specifications.
    4. DHA-84 Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form DHA-84 in black ink and block letters, signed by the applicant. The signature should match the signature in the passport.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the conference purpose, intended travel dates, organiser or host details, accommodation and funding arrangement, and confirming that the visit does not involve paid work in South Africa. It should clearly state who will bear the travel expenses and include the physical address and contact details of the applicant or authorized signatory.
    6. Conference Invitation / Organiser Letter: Invitation on the South African organiser's, host's or institution's letterhead showing the applicant's name and passport number, conference purpose and duration, physical address and contact details, and the authorised signatory's name, designation and signature. A copy of the host’s ID should also be provided. The invitation letter and host ID copy should be attested by a Commissioner of Oaths or the South African Police Service.
    7. Proof of Occupation: Documents confirming current professional, study, family, business, or property ties to the country of residence. For employed applicants, this commonly includes 3 recent payslips and an employer letter confirming leave and return to work.
    8. Employer / Company Introduction Letter: Letter from the applicant’s employer or company confirming the applicant’s name, passport number, position, purpose and duration of travel, company physical address and contact details, and authorised signatory name, designation and signature. If the company is funding the trip, the letter should clearly state the expenses it will cover.
    9. Business/Company Bank Statements & Solvency Certificate: Original bank statements for the last 6 months for business/company accounts, issued by the bank and showing the bank name and contact details. Statements must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank officer (e-statements not accepted), and accompanied by a bank solvency/financial standing certificate where required.
    10. Personal Bank Statements & Solvency Certificate: Original bank statements (personal and/or salary account) for the last 6 months, issued by the bank and showing the bank name and contact details. Statements must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank officer (e-statements not accepted), and accompanied by a bank solvency/financial standing certificate where required.
    11. Personal TIN & ITR: Copy of the personal TIN certificate and Income Tax Return (ITR) for the last 3 tax years, along with the acknowledgement receipts.
    12. Flight Reservation: Valid flight ticket or provisional reservation showing the intended travel dates and consistent with the application. Applicants should avoid purchasing non-refundable travel tickets before a visa decision.
    13. Hotel Reservation / Accommodation Booking: Hotel booking or other accommodation evidence covering the intended stay, showing the relevant address and dates and remaining consistent with the invitation and travel plan.
    14. Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (where applicable): Required if the applicant will travel through or stay in a yellow-fever-risk area before entering South Africa. Check the current South African yellow fever policy against the planned itinerary.
    15. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    16. Minor Applicant Documents (where applicable): For applicants under 18, provide the required birth, parental consent form, parent/legal guardian identification, custody or guardianship documents, and other supporting records required under the current minor-travel rules. 

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Confirm the Conference Category

    Confirm that the visit is for genuine conference attendance in South Africa where the applicant will not be paid for work by a South African entity.

    Step 2

    Complete DHA-84 Carefully

    Complete Form 11 (DHA-84) in black ink and block letters, sign it consistently with the passport, and check that the travel purpose, dates, address and funding details match the supporting documents.

    Step 3

    Secure the Conference & Employer Letters

    Obtain a detailed invitation from the South African organiser and a supporting introduction letter from the applicant's employer, organisation or institution. Dates, purpose and responsibilities should align.

    Step 4

    Align Funding, Travel & Accommodation

    Prepare the required bank evidence, identify who will bear the trip costs, and keep the flight and accommodation arrangements consistent with the conference dates and invitation.

    Step 5

    Prepare for VFS New Delhi Submission

    Bangladeshi applicants must submit their South Africa visa applications through VFS Global New Delhi, under the jurisdiction of the South African High Commission in New Delhi.

    Step 6

    Pay Fees & Lodge the Application

    Submit the completed DHA-84, passport and supporting file at VFS New Delhi and pay the applicable visa, VFS service charges. VFS accepts the file, while the visa decision remains with the South African authorities.

    Step 7

    Track the Case & Prepare for Travel

    Track the application using the VFS reference. After processing, collect the returned passport and check the visa details before travel.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    The planned activity does not fit the conference category

    How UnivEase helps

    We help clarify whether the proposed participation is genuine conference attendance or involves work or another activity requiring a different South Africa visa category.

    The organiser's invitation is incomplete or difficult to verify

    How UnivEase helps

    We explain the key invitation details expected for New Delhi submission, including the applicant, conference purpose, dates, host address, contacts and authorised signatory.

    Employer, funding and conference records do not align

    How UnivEase helps

    We review the supporting narrative so the employer letter, invitation, bank evidence and stated cost responsibility present one consistent travel purpose.

    Travel or supporting documents are incomplete

    How UnivEase helps

    We provide a clear checklist-based guidance on passport validity, DHA-84, accommodation, and other supporting documents.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    South African High Commission, New Delhi
    Address: B-18 Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057, India.
    Telephone: +91-11-2614 9411-14
    Immigration Queries: Infoza.india@vfshelpline.com
    Website: Click Here
    Working Hours: Monday to Thursday, 08:30-17:00; Friday, 08:30-14:15.
    Consular & Immigration Section: Monday to Friday, 08:30-12:30. 

    Visa Application Centre

    South Africa Visa Application Centre, New Delhi
    Address: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India.
    Helpline: 02267866066 (Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00)
    Website: Click Here
    Submission Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-16:00. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Prepare your South Africa Conference Visa application with greater clarity.

    Get clear guidance on the conference checklist, DHA-84, organiser and employer letters, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

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