Renew a visa or change status from inside South Africa
A foreigner already in South Africa can apply to extend a temporary visa, or to change its status or conditions. The regulations set a filing deadline of at least 60 days before the visa expires. Holders of visitor's and medical treatment visas cannot change status inside the country, apart from narrow exceptions.
1 entry rule for South Africa based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers over 1 year arriving from a WHO yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) must show a valid yellow fever certificate. Without one: may be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days or until the certificate becomes valid.
National Department of Health (South Africa): Health Protocols for Travellers Arriving in South Africa (2026) WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Moving to South Africa
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
South African Rand
ZAR
South African Rand
Cost of living
43
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
18–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 15%social security 1%
45% applies to taxable income above R1,878,600 (2027 tax year); rebates create an effective tax-free threshold.
Living
1
Happiness
#99 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: People in South Africa holding a valid temporary visa who want to renew it or move to another visa type.
Valid visa at filing
Sign in to check this route against your profileApplications are filed before the current visa expires.
Renewal deadline
Sign in to check this route against your profileAt least 60 days before expiry. If the visa was issued for less than 30 days, no later than seven working days before expiry.
Compliance affidavit
Sign in to check this route against your profileA renewal needs an affidavit that you complied with your visa, its conditions and South African law.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 3 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 1 fee
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Places to visit in South Africa
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