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    Visa Guide · 🇿🇦 South Africa

    South Africa Visiting Family-Friends Visa from Bangladesh

    Short Term Visitor’s Visa for visiting family members or friends and staying with a host in South Africa.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The South Africa Visiting Family-Friends Visa is a Short Term Visitor’s Visa for Bangladeshi nationals and eligible residents travelling to spend time with relatives or friends in South Africa. It is generally used for visits of up to 90 days, with the host invitation, accommodation/status evidence, funding arrangements and return circumstances forming an important part of the application.

    Applications from Bangladesh are handled by the South African High Commission in New Delhi and must be submitted through VFS Global New Delhi. A prior VFS appointment is currently not required. Although VFS groups this purpose with Holiday and Sports Events, this page focuses specifically on applicants visiting family or friends. 

    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-84 Visa Application Form: Fully completed Form 11 (DHA-84) in black ink and block letters, signed by the applicant with a signature matching the passport.
    5. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter explaining the family/friend visit, intended travel dates, host details, accommodation and funding arrangements. It should clearly state who will bear the travel expenses and include the applicant’s physical 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. Host Residence & Status Evidence: Provide attested proof of the host’s South African residence together with a certified copy of the host’s South African ID or lawful residence status, such as permanent residence or work permit, as applicable.
    8. 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.
    9. NOC / Leave Approval: Letter from the applicant’s employer, school or university confirming approved leave and the intended travel period, with the institution’s physical address, contact details and authorised signatory information.
    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. 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.
    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. 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.
    14. Proof of Legal Residence in Bangladesh (where applicable): Applicants who are not Bangladeshi nationals should provide evidence of lawful residence in Bangladesh.
    15. Civil Status Documents: Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate, birth certificate, or family-related documents where applicable, especially when travelling with spouse or children.
    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

    Define the Visit & Host

    Confirm that the trip is genuinely for a temporary visit to family or friends and identify the South African host, stay address, intended dates and who will fund the visit.

    Step 2

    Complete DHA-84 Consistently

    Complete Form 11 (DHA-84) in black ink and block letters, ensuring the visit purpose, dates, host address and funding details match the supporting documents.

    Step 3

    Secure Host Documents

    Obtain the attested invitation together with the host’s residence proof and certified South African ID or lawful-status document.

    Step 4

    Align Funds, Leave & Travel Evidence

    Prepare the required bank evidence, leave/NOC, flight reservation and other supporting documents relevant to the visit.

    Step 5

    Prepare for New Delhi Submission

    Bangladeshi applicants must submit through VFS Global New Delhi under the jurisdiction of the South African High Commission in New Delhi.

    Step 6

    Lodge the Application and Pay the Fees

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

    Step 7

    Track & Verify Before Travel

    Follow available VFS updates and, after passport return, check the visa validity, number of entries and permitted stay before travelling.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Host evidence is incomplete

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the invitation, residence proof and host ID/status documents needed for a properly supported family or friend visit.

    Visit purpose is not clearly supported

    How UnivEase helps

    We help align the applicant’s cover letter, host invitation, travel dates and stay details so the purpose is presented consistently.

    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.

    Return circumstances are weak

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify appropriate occupation, leave, family, financial and residence evidence that supports the applicant’s temporary visit and planned return.

    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 Visiting Family-Friends Visa application with the right host evidence.

    Get clear guidance on DHA-84, host invitation and attestation, required documents, fees, VFS New Delhi submission and passport-return steps before you apply.

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