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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Relative Visa from Bangladesh

    Long Term Visa for eligible immediate family members joining a South African citizen or permanent resident.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa Relative Visa is a Long Term Visa for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents who are immediate family members of a South African citizen or permanent resident and intend to reside with or join that relative in South Africa. The category requires clear proof of the qualifying relationship and, where applicable, the prescribed financial assurance. It is generally issued for a period not exceeding 24 months at a time.

    Applications from Bangladesh are handled by the South African High Commission in New Delhi and must be submitted through VFS Global New Delhi. Applicants should prepare the relationship, South African status, financial and civil-status evidence required for the specific family connection. 

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport (Original): Original passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of 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 disclosed consistently with the application and supporting records.
    3. Photograph (South Africa Visa Format): Provide 1 recent colour passport photograph, 35mm x 45mm, taken within the last 30 days against a plain white background and meeting the current VFS New Delhi photo specifications.
    4. DHA-1738 Relative Visa Application Form: Fully complete Form DHA-1738 in black ink and block letters and sign it consistently with the passport. For applicants under 18, the required parent or guardian signature should be provided.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the family relationship, purpose of residence in South Africa, intended period of stay, accommodation and financial arrangements. It should clearly state the applicant’s home address and contact details.
    6. South African Host Invitation Letter: Invitation from the host stating the applicant’s name and passport number, purpose and duration of visit, host’s physical address and contact details. The invitation should be attested by a Commissioner of Oaths or the South African Police Service.
    7. South African Relative’s Citizenship / Permanent Residence Evidence: Provide attested proof that the sponsoring relative is a South African citizen or permanent resident, such as the relevant South African identity document, passport, permanent residence evidence or other accepted official record.
    8. Proof of Relationship / Kinship: Provide official evidence establishing the qualifying family relationship. Depending on the relationship, this may include an unabridged birth certificate, marriage certificate, recognised relationship record, and paternity evidence where necessary.
    9. Host/Inviter Address Proof: Tenancy/lease agreement, utility bill, or other address proof for the host/inviter’s residence where the applicant will stay.
    10. Host / Sponsor Funding Evidence (where applicable): If the host or another person will bear the applicant’s expenses, provide that person’s relevant bank evidence and ensure the invitation and applicant’s covering letter clearly identify the same cost responsibility. Where South African bank statements are used, they should be attested by South African bank and South African Police Service.
    11. 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.
    12. Civil Status Documents: Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate, birth certificate, or family-related documents where applicable, especially when travelling with spouse or children.
    13. Police Clearance Certificate: Applicants aged 18 or over should provide police clearance certificates for the countries required under the current Relative Visa requirements, including countries where the applicant has resided for 12 months or longer since turning 18.
    14. Medical & Radiological Reports: Submit the prescribed medical report and the required radiological report in original. The medical report should reflect the applicant’s general state of health and meet the current validity requirements.
    15. Monthly Expenditure Form: Complete the current Relative Visa monthly expenditure form where required and ensure the declared household and living-cost information is consistent with the financial evidence submitted.
    16. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    17. 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 Qualifying Relationship

    Establish that the applicant is an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident and identify the relationship evidence required for that family connection.

    Step 2

    Complete DHA-1738 Carefully

    Complete DHA-1738 in black ink and align the applicant, South African relative, address, relationship and financial details with the supporting documents.

    Step 3

    Prove Status & Family Link

    Prepare the South African relative’s citizenship or permanent residence evidence together with the marriage, birth, kinship or spousal records relevant to the case.

    Step 4

    Prepare Financial & Family Evidence

    Arrange the applicable financial assurance, bank records, civil-status documents, police clearance and other relationship-specific supporting evidence.

    Step 5

    Build the New Delhi Submission File

    Organise the original documents, copies, DHA-1738 and other supporting documents for submission through VFS Global New Delhi.

    Step 6

    Lodge the File & Pay Applicable Charges

    A prior appointment is currently not required. Submit the complete application at VFS New Delhi and pay the applicable visa and VFS charges.

    Step 7

    Track the Case & Check Visa Conditions

    Follow available VFS updates and, after passport return, review the visa validity and conditions before making final relocation or travel arrangements.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Relationship evidence is insufficient

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the marriage, birth, kinship or spousal evidence needed to establish the qualifying family connection clearly.

    South African relative status is unclear

    How UnivEase helps

    We help clarify the citizenship or permanent-residence records needed to support the sponsoring relative’s status in South Africa.

    Funding responsibility is unclear

    How UnivEase helps

    We help clarify whether the applicant or host is paying and match the supporting bank records with the invitation and covering letter.

    Family records do not align

    How UnivEase helps

    We help check civil-status, police, affidavit and DHA-1738 details so the relationship history is presented consistently across the file.

    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 Relative Visa application around clear family and status evidence.

    Get clear guidance on DHA-1738, relationship documents, financial assurance, required records, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

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