South African passport holders need a UK visa. The Immigration Rules list South Africa as a “visa national” country, and which visa you need depends on why you are going: a visit, study, work, ancestry or family. Start with the GOV.UK visa checker so you choose the right route before paying.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
The main routes South Africans use, and what GOV.UK says about each:
- Standard Visitor visa: for visits, usually up to 6 months. It costs £135 for up to 6 months (as at October 2026). See the Standard Visitor page.
- Student visa: for study. From outside the UK it costs £558, and the earliest you can apply is 6 months before your course starts. See the Student visa page.
- Skilled Worker visa: for a job with a Home Office approved UK employer. It can last up to 5 years before you need to extend. See the Skilled Worker page.
- UK Ancestry visa: costs £726 and lasts 5 years. You must show that you have a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, among other circumstances. See the Ancestry visa page.
- Family and partner routes: these have their own rules and fees. Check them on GOV.UK.
Fees are set per route and change, so use the GOV.UK page for your route.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
You need a valid passport or travel document for every route. For a Standard Visitor visa it should be valid for the whole of your stay. Other routes can set their own passport rules, so check the GOV.UK page for yours.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
Documents depend on the route. GOV.UK publishes a document list for each visa. For example, the Ancestry visa has a documents you must provide page, and the Student visa has a knowledge of English requirement.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
Money rules differ by route. Student visa applicants must show they have enough money, set out on the money you need page. Standard Visitor applicants must show they can support themselves and pay for their return or onward journey.
Most longer-stay routes also involve the Immigration Health Surcharge. GOV.UK explains how much you have to pay, so budget for it separately from the visa fee.
Some applicants need a tuberculosis (TB) test from an approved clinic. Check the list of countries where a TB test is needed and the TB test guidance to see whether it applies to your route and length of stay.
How to Prepare or Apply
- Choose your route with the GOV.UK visa checker.
- Read that route’s GOV.UK page for the fee, eligibility and documents.
- Apply online on GOV.UK. For a Standard Visitor visa, this is where you apply, and you then attend a visa application centre appointment to give your fingerprints and photo.
- Confirm centre details and any service fees when you book, because the GOV.UK pages we checked did not list them for South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do South Africans need a visa for the UK?
Yes. South Africa is on the UK visa national list, so South African citizens need a visa before travel.
Which UK visa do I need?
It depends on your purpose: Standard Visitor for visits, Student for study, Skilled Worker for a sponsored job, Ancestry if you have a UK-born grandparent, or a family route. Use the GOV.UK visa checker.
How do I apply for a UK visa from South Africa?
Apply online on GOV.UK for your route, then attend a visa application centre appointment to give your fingerprints and photo. See the Standard Visitor application page for visits.
What is the UK Ancestry visa?
A route that costs £726 and lasts 5 years. You must show that you have a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, among other circumstances. See the Ancestry eligibility page.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
A charge that applies to many UK visa routes. GOV.UK sets the amount, so check its page on how much you have to pay before you apply.
Do I need a tuberculosis test?
Only some applicants do. Check GOV.UK’s TB test guidance for your route and length of stay, and use an approved clinic if a test is required.
How do I add a bank stamp to a UK bank statement for a South African visa?
The GOV.UK pages we checked do not give guidance on bank stamps. Ask your bank what it can provide, and check your route’s GOV.UK document list for what is accepted.
Confirm current fees and requirements with UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office) on GOV.UK before you apply. See visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.