UK visa information
Travelling to the UK soon? If you're travelling on a South African passport, you may need to apply for a visa before your trip.
Visiting or transiting through the UK? Check your visa requirements below
This guidance applies to travellers who are South African passport holders.
You may need a visa to travel to the UK, whether you're visiting, working, studying, or transiting through the UK on your way to another destination.
Depending on your travel purpose and nationality, you need:
- A UK visa, or
- An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Your visa must be issued before you travel.
How to confirm if you need a UK visa
Your visa requirements will vary depending on:
- Your nationality
- The purpose of your trip
- How long you plan to stay
- Your personal circumstances
Some travellers may not need a visa to visit the UK, but may still need a visa to transit through the UK. Visit www.gov.uk website for more information.
How to apply for UK Visa
Apply online via www.gov.uk then make an appointment at the 1 Discovery Place VFS visa application centre or your nearest UK visa application centre.
Travelling through the UK (Transit visas)
You may need a UK visa even if the UK is not your final destination.
This applies if:
- You have a layover between flights in the UK
- You have a stopover in the UK
- Your journey includes multiple flight segments that pass through the UK Examples:
- Round Trip: Johannesburg → Paris, with a layover in London
- Multi-City: Johannesburg → Paris, then Paris → Rome, with a short connection in London
In both cases, UK transit visa rules may apply, even if you do not leave the airport.
Layover vs Stopover, what's the difference?
Layover:
- A short connection (usually under 24 hours for international flights)
- You typically remain airside (i.e. inside the airport, before border control)
- Bags are checked through to your final destination
- A transit visa is required
Stopover:
- A break in your journey longer than 24 hours
- You leave the airport and enter the UK (i.e. leave the UK airport)
- Usually booked as part of a multi-city itinerary
- A visa is required
Important reminder:
Always check www.gov.uk for the most up-to-date visa requirements if:
- You are travelling to the UK
- You are transiting through the UK
- Your journey includes a layover or stopover in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, you must apply for a Standard Visitor visa You may be eligible for a free family permit if your partner or family member is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. They must have been living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
You'll need a visa depending on the activity. A Standard Visitor visa may cover activities such as:
- Attending meetings or conferences
- Conducting academic research
- Certain paid engagements for UK-based organisations
You may need a work visa, depending on the role and duration.
This includes work in:
- Sports, arts, or entertainment
- Volunteering
- Research, training, or internships
- Religious organisations
- Seasonal or skilled work
- Overseas employer transfers
Some roles may also fall under international agreement visa if you'll be doing work covered by international law while in the UK (for example, working for a foreign government or as a private servant in a diplomatic household).
If your journey includes a UK layover or stopover, you may need a transit visa, even if you do not leave the airport. Always verify your visa requirements on www.gov.uk before travelling
Round-trip:
- One destination and a return flight
- May include a UK layover (e.g. Johannesburg → New York via London)
- A UK transit visa may still be required
Multi-city:
- Multiple destinations (e.g. Johannesburg → London → Paris)
- The UK is treated as a destination
- A UK visa is usually required