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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Treaty Visa from Bangladesh

    Long Term Visa for participation in approved programmes conducted under an international agreement involving South Africa.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa Treaty Visa is a Long Term Visa for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents whose activities in South Africa arise from an international agreement to which South Africa is a party. It is intended for participation in the specific programme covered by that agreement, rather than for ordinary employment, business visits, or independent private activity.

    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 ensure that the relevant organ of state clearly confirms the treaty programme, the applicant’s participation, intended activities, duration and accommodation. 

    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-1738 Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form DHA-1738 in black ink and block letters, signed by the applicant with details consistent with the passport and supporting documents.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the treaty-based purpose of travel, programme, intended activities, duration, accommodation and funding arrangements. It should also include the applicant’s home address and contact details.
    6. 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.
    7. Sponsor / Cost-Bearing Evidence (where applicable): If another person, company, or institution will bear the applicant’s costs, provide the relevant bank evidence and a supporting letter clearly confirming that responsibility. South African bank statements should be attested by South African Bank and South African Police Service.
    8. Medical Report: Submit the prescribed medical report in original. The report should reflect the applicant’s general state of health and meet the current validity requirements.
    9. Police Clearance Certificate: Applicants aged 18 or over should provide police clearance certificates for each country where they have resided for 12 months or longer since turning 18, in line with the current Treaty Visa requirements.
    10. Treaty Programme Letter from the Relevant Organ of State: Official letter from the organ of state that is party to the treaty confirming the nature of the programme, the applicant’s participation, expected activities, duration, accommodation, and other relevant details of the stay.
    11. Treaty / International Agreement Reference: Provide the relevant treaty or international-agreement reference, confirmation, or supporting evidence showing that the programme falls under an agreement to which South Africa is a party, where available or requested.
    12. Organ of State Undertaking: Written undertaking by the sending or receiving organ of state accepting responsibility for costs related to the applicant’s deportation and that of dependent family members, should this become necessary.
    13. Civil Status Documents: Provide relevant marriage, divorce, death, adoption, separation, custody, or relationship documents where these are applicable to the applicant or accompanying dependants.
    14. Accommodation Evidence: Provide the accommodation details confirmed by the relevant organ of state or other supporting evidence showing where the applicant will stay during the treaty programme.
    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 Treaty Basis

    Confirm that the proposed South African programme is conducted under an international agreement to which South Africa is a party and that the applicant is formally included in that programme.

    Step 2

    Complete DHA-1738 Consistently

    Complete DHA-1738 in black ink and make sure the programme, activities, dates, address and funding details match the official treaty and organ-of-state records.

    Step 3

    Secure the Official Programme Evidence

    Obtain the relevant organ-of-state letter confirming the programme, participation, activities, duration, accommodation and other details required for the Treaty Visa.

    Step 4

    Prepare Funds, Clearance & Supporting Records

    Arrange the required financial evidence, police clearance, family or residence documents, and any currently applicable medical evidence before submission.

    Step 5

    Organise the New Delhi File

    Prepare the originals, copies and supporting documents for lodging through VFS Global New Delhi under the South African High Commission.

    Step 6

    Submit the Application & Pay Charges

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

    Step 7

    Track the Decision & Follow Visa Conditions

    Follow available VFS updates and, after passport return, check the visa validity, entries and endorsed activities before travelling to South Africa.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Treaty basis is not clearly established

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the official programme and treaty evidence needed to show why the applicant qualifies for this specific visa category.

    Organ-of-state letter lacks key details

    How UnivEase helps

    We help clarify the programme, activities, duration, accommodation and participation details that should be reflected in the official letter.

    Funding or official responsibility is unclear

    How UnivEase helps

    We help align the financial evidence with the cost-bearing arrangements and the required organ-of-state undertaking.

    Activities fall outside the treaty programme

    How UnivEase helps

    We help check that the proposed activities remain consistent with the official programme and do not read like unrelated employment or private work.

    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 Treaty Visa application around the correct international programme.

    Get clear guidance on DHA-1738, treaty and organ-of-state documents, financial evidence, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

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