Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa
South Africa Transit Visa from Bangladesh
Short Term Visa for Bangladeshi ordinary passport holders transiting South Africa en route to another country.
Last Updated: 30 August 2026
Document Checklist
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- DHA-84 Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form DHA-84 in black ink, signed by the applicant. The signature should match the passport; for applicants below 18, the parent or legal guardian signs as required.
- Cover Letter: Applicant's signed letter stating the transit purpose, name and passport number, travel route, intended transit date or duration, onward destination. It should clearly state who will bear the travel expenses and include the physical address and contact details of the applicant or authorized signatory.
- Valid Onward Flight Ticket: Valid flight ticket showing the applicant's onward journey from South Africa to the destination country. The routing and travel dates should remain consistent with the application.
- Onward Country Visa / Entry Permission: Valid visa copy for the onward country where a visa is required. Where applicable, provide other evidence showing the applicant is lawfully permitted to enter the destination country.
- 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.
- Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh and valid permission to return, where relevant to the application.
- 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 Transit Visa Requirement
Use the Transit Visa category when a Bangladeshi ordinary passport holder will pass through South Africa en route to another country. Confirm that South Africa is only the transit point and not the main destination.
Step 2
Complete DHA-84 Carefully
Complete Form DHA-84 in black ink, sign it consistently with the passport, and prepare the passport, photographs, passport copies, and any applicable residence records.
Step 3
Document the Onward Journey
Provide a valid onward flight ticket showing the route through South Africa and the destination country. Keep the transit dates and routing consistent with the application and cover letter.
Step 4
Verify Entry Permission for the Destination
Include the valid visa, permit, residence status, or other evidence required to enter the onward country. The destination entry permission should remain valid for the planned journey. Prepare all other supporting documents as well.
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 & Submit the Application
Pay the applicable fees and submit the complete application through VFS Global New Delhi. VFS accepts the file, while the visa decision remains with the South African authorities.
Step 7
Track the Case & Travel on the Approved Route
Track the application using the VFS reference. After passport return, check the visa details and travel with the onward ticket, destination-country permission, and other transit documents available for inspection.
Common Rejection Pitfalls
The journey does not clearly qualify as transit
How UnivEase helps
We help clarify whether the itinerary shows South Africa only as a transit point and whether the Transit Visa category matches the proposed journey.
Onward travel evidence is missing or inconsistent
How UnivEase helps
We explain the required onward-ticket evidence and help check that the routing, connection dates and destination details remain consistent across the file.
Destination-country entry permission is not established
How UnivEase helps
We clarify the visa, permit or other entry evidence that should support the onward destination and identify obvious validity or consistency issues before submission.
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
Visa Application Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare your South Africa Transit Visa application with greater clarity.
Get clear guidance on DHA-84, onward travel evidence, the gratis visa fee, and VFS New Delhi submission before you apply.
