Holiday Plans Shouldn't Stall at the Visa Stage

Whether it’s a family visit in London, a road trip through California or a long-awaited trip to see the Northern Lights, most popular destinations require South African passport holders to apply for a visa before they travel. Each country has its own forms, fees, appointment system and document rules, and a small mistake can mean a refusal and a lost deposit.

Visa Expert guides you through the tourist or visitor visa for your destination. We tell you exactly what you need, check your documents before you submit and help you prepare for your appointment or interview, so you can get back to planning your holiday.

What Is a Tourist Visa?

A tourist visa (called a visitor visa in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) gives you permission to enter a country for a short stay for holidays, sightseeing or visiting family and friends. It does not allow you to work, take up paid employment or study long-term. If your trip includes meetings or conferences, see our Business Visas service. For a course or job abroad, see Study and Work Visas.

Every country makes its decision on the same basic question: will you visit, follow the rules and go home? Your application has to answer that clearly, with proof of your funds, your plans and your ties to South Africa.

Start my Visa Process

Tourist Visas We Help South Africans With

Tourist and visitor visas for South African passport holders by destination
Destination Visa you need Maximum stay Typical decision time
United Kingdom Standard Visitor Visa Up to 6 months per visit About 3 weeks
United States B-2 tourist visa (often issued as B1/B2) Set at entry, usually up to 6 months Interview wait plus 3 to 4 weeks
Canada Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) Usually up to 6 months 2 to 8 weeks
Australia Visitor visa (subclass 600) Up to 3, 6 or 12 months Varies; apply early
New Zealand Visitor visa Up to 9 months Varies; apply early
Europe (29 Schengen countries) Schengen visa 90 days in any 180 Up to 15 days

Times are a guide and depend on the embassy and time of year. Fees and requirements change often, so we confirm the latest rules when you apply.

Documents icon

United Kingdom: Standard Visitor Visa

South Africans need a visa for every UK visit, however short. You apply online, then attend a visa application centre for fingerprints and a photo. The UK looks closely at your finances, so we check your bank statements, sponsor letters and travel history before you submit.
travel icon

USA: B-2 Tourist Visa

First-time applicants complete the DS-160 form and attend an interview at the US consulate in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban. Interview waiting times can run to several months, so book early. We help you complete the DS-160 accurately and prepare for the questions you are likely to be asked.
application icon

Canada: Visitor Visa

South African passport holders need a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) for Canada. The eTA does not apply to South Africans. You apply online and give biometrics at a visa application centre. We help you put together the funds, itinerary and ties evidence Canada expects.
Documents icon

Australia and New Zealand: Visitor Visas

Both countries require South Africans to apply online for a visitor visa before travelling. The applications are detailed and ask about your employment, finances and travel history, so accuracy matters. We guide you through each section and check your supporting documents.
travel icon

Europe: Schengen Visa

One Schengen visa covers 29 European countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece and Switzerland. Read our full guide on the Schengen Visas page, including which embassy to apply to and the document checklist.

How We Help With Your Tourist Visa

  1. Tell us about your trip: Complete the enquiry form with your destination, dates and who is travelling.
  2. Get your personal checklist: We confirm the right visa and send a checklist based on your work, finances and family situation.
  3. Document check and forms: We review every document and help you complete the online application form without errors.
  4. Appointment and interview ready: We prepare you for your biometrics appointment or US interview, and stay on hand until you have your decision.
  • One team, every destination: Combining the UK and Europe, or the USA and Canada? We manage both applications so they match.
  • Stronger applications: Most tourist visa refusals come from weak or inconsistent documents. Our Document Assistance service checks everything before it is submitted.
  • Clear, honest advice: We tell you upfront if something in your application needs strengthening, so there are no surprises.

Why Choose Visa Expert for Your Tourist Visa

Tourist Visa FAQs

Yes, in most cases. The UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand use the term “visitor visa”, while the USA uses “B-2 tourist visa” and Europe uses “Schengen visa”. All cover holidays and visits to family and friends.

South Africans can visit many countries visa-free, but the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Schengen countries all require a visa before you travel. Check our visa requirements page or ask us about your destination.

At least 6 to 8 weeks for most destinations. For the USA, start 3 months or more ahead, because interview waiting times in South Africa can be long.

There is rarely a fixed minimum. You need to show steady income and enough money to cover your trip without straining your finances. Large, unexplained deposits shortly before applying can count against you.

Yes. A family member or host can sponsor you, but they must provide a letter and proof of their own finances. We help you prepare a sponsor pack that meets the embassy’s requirements.

No. Tourist and visitor visas do not allow paid work. Some business activities, such as attending meetings, are allowed under certain visitor visas, but you should tell us the full purpose of your trip so we recommend the right visa.

No agent can guarantee a decision, because only the embassy or immigration authority decides. What we do is make sure your application is complete, accurate and as strong as it can be.