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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Research Work Visa from Bangladesh

    Visitor’s Visa for eligible researchers undertaking a defined research project with a South African host institution.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The Research Work Visa is a South Africa visitor-visa category for researchers travelling to undertake a defined research activity with a host institution or organisation. For Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents, the file should clearly establish the research purpose, host, duration, academic or professional background, funding, medical cover and accommodation.

    The application form depends on the intended research period: DHA-84 for stays of less than 90 days and DHA-1738 for research exceeding 90 days. This category is intended for genuine research activity and should not be used to present unrelated ordinary employment. Applications from Bangladesh are submitted through VFS Global New Delhi. 

    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 2 recent colour passport photographs, 35mm x 45mm, taken within the last 30 days against a plain white background and meeting the current South Africa VFS photo specifications.
    4. DHA Visa Application Form: For research of less than 90 days Form 11 (DHA-84) and for research exceeding 90 days Form DHA-1738 is required. Complete the applicable form in black ink and block letters and sign it consistently with the passport.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the research purpose, host institution, proposed activities, intended duration, accommodation and funding arrangements. It should clearly state who will bear the expenses and include the applicant’s address and contact details.
    6. South African Host Institution / Research Invitation Letter: Official invitation or confirmation from the South African host institution stating the applicant’s name and passport number, nature and purpose of the research, intended period, physical address, contact details, and the responsible host’s name, designation and signature.
    7. Home Institution / Collaboration Letter (where applicable): Where the applicant is attached to an employer, university, research body or collaborating institution outside South Africa, provide an official letter confirming the applicant’s position, research participation, approved period and relevant institutional relationship.
    8. Educational Qualifications: Relevant academic and professional qualification certificates supporting the proposed research. Provide notarised, certified or officially translated copies where required by the current official requirement.
    9. Research Funding & Personal Bank Statements: Original bank statements for the last 6 months, signed and stamped by the issuing bank, showing sufficient funds for the research stay. Where another person or institution bears the costs, provide matching sponsorship or institutional financial evidence. If South African bank statements are used, they should be attested by South African bank and South African Police Service.
    10. Proof of Medical Cover: Proof of medical cover for the research period, renewable annually where applicable, with a medical scheme meeting the current South African Research Work requirements.
    11. Medical Report: Submit the prescribed medical report in original. The medical report should reflect the applicant’s general state of health and meet the current validity requirements.
    12. 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.
    13. Host Identity / Status Evidence: Provide the attested identity, passport, visa or lawful-status evidence of the responsible South African host or contact person where required.
    14. 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.
    15. 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.
    16. Yellow Fever / Legal Residence / Minor Documents (where applicable): Provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate where the itinerary triggers the requirement. Non-Bangladeshi applicants should provide proof of lawful residence in Bangladesh, and minors should provide the applicable birth, consent, parent or guardian, custody and related records. 

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Define the Research Purpose

    Confirm the research topic, host institution, proposed activities and intended period so the application clearly presents a genuine research visit.

    Step 2

    Select the Correct DHA Form

    Use DHA-84 for research of less than 90 days or DHA-1738 for research exceeding 90 days, and keep all dates and research details consistent.

    Step 3

    Secure the Institutional Letters

    Obtain the South African host confirmation and, where applicable, the home-institution or collaboration letter describing the research relationship and period.

    Step 4

    Build the Research Support File

    Prepare qualifications, funding, medical-cover, police-clearance, accommodation and other records relevant to the applicant and intended research duration.

    Step 5

    Check Duration-Specific Requirements

    Review whether any requirements change because the research exceeds 90 days, including the applicable form and the latest medical-report instruction.

    Step 6

    Submit through VFS New Delhi

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

    Step 7

    Track the Case & Review the Visa

    Follow available VFS updates and, after passport return, check the approved validity, entries and conditions before making final research-travel arrangements.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Research purpose is too vague

    How UnivEase helps

    We help present the research topic, host, activities and duration clearly so the application reflects a defined academic or professional purpose.

    Institutional letters do not align

    How UnivEase helps

    We help align the South African host letter and any home-institution confirmation on the applicant, project, dates and research relationship.

    The wrong form or duration basis is used

    How UnivEase helps

    We help distinguish the under-90-day and over-90-day Research Work requirements before the file is prepared.

    Funding or supporting evidence is incomplete

    How UnivEase helps

    We provide checklist-based guidance on research funds, qualifications, medical cover, police clearance, accommodation and other New Delhi supporting records.

    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 Research Work application around a clearly defined research purpose.

    Get clear guidance on the correct DHA form, host-institution letters, research funding, supporting documents, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

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