Visitor’s Visa (Section 11(1)(b)(iii) – Research Visa)

The Research Visa allows foreign nationals to live in South Africa temporarily while conducting approved academic research projects. It provides researchers with legal residence for the duration of their project and fosters collaboration with South African institutions.

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Full Name(Required)

Contact Number

Email Address(Required)

Please select the visa category you require assistance with:(Required)

How old is the child?(Required)

Does the child's parent/ guardian have valid status within South Africa?(Required)

What is your marital status?(Required)

What is the status of your spouse?(Required)

What is the number of foreign nationals you are looking to employ?(Required)

CS - Do you currently have a formal offer of employment from a registered South African company?(Required)

CS - What is your highest level of Education?(Required)

CS - What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?(Required)

CS - How many years of work experience do you have?(Required)

CS - Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?(Required)

* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff

CS - In which country did you complete your highest qualification(Required)

CS - What position have you been offered(Required)

CS - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

GWV - What is your highest level of education?(Required)

GWV - In order to qualify for a General Work Visa, you must have an offer of employment from a South African employer. What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?(Required)

GWV - How many years of work experience do you have?(Required)

GWV - Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?(Required)

* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff

GWV - Are you proficient in one of South Africa's 11 official languages?(Required)

ICT - Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?(Required)

ICT - Have you been employed in your current position for longer than 6 months?(Required)

ICT - What is the expected duration of your secondment/ assignment?(Required)

RV - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

RV - What is the expiry date of your current visa(Required)

RV - Are you currently residing in South Africa?(Required)

RV - Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?(Required)

RWV - Are you currently employed by a foreign entity outside of South Africa?(Required)

RWV - Do you earn an annual salary exceeding R650,000? (UDS $37,000 / EUR 33,000)(Required)

RPV - Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000? (*add)(Required)

RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least R1.8 million?(Required)

RPV - Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?(Required)

RPV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

STWA - What is the duration of your assignment in South Africa?(Required)

STWA - Does your current employer support your work in South Africa?(Required)

SV - Do you have an enrollment letter from a recognized learning institution?(Required)

SV - What level of education will you be completing in South Africa?(Required)

VV - What is your intention in South Africa?(Required)

VV - What is you intended duration of stay in South Africa?(Required)

RNW - What visa do you currently hold?(Required)

Please specify other(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current visa(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current Intra Company Transfer Work Visa?(Required)

PR - What Visa do you currently hold for South Africa?(Required)

PR - Have you received a permanent offer of employment?(Required)

PR - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_CS - What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?(Required)

PR_CS - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_GWV - What is the expiry date of your current General Work Visa?(Required)

PR_GWV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_GWV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_ICT - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_ICT - Have you been offered Permanent employment by a South African employer?(Required)

PR_RV - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

PR_RV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_RV - Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?(Required)

PR_RV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_RPV - Do you receive an irrevocable income of at least R37,000 per month (Rental income, dividends, interest, pension, ect )(Required)

PR_RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least ZAR 1,8 million(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

RV - What is the duration of your relationship?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - What is the duration of your relationship?(Required)

Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least R2.4 million?(Required)

RPV - Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?(Required)

RPV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?(Required)

PR - Do you have direct family members that are South African Citizens or Permanent Residence holders?(Required)

BV - Do you intend to establish or invest in a business in South Africa?(Required)

What type of business do you intend to operate or invest in?(Required)

BV - Are you able to invest a minimum of R5 million into the South African economy?(Required)

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GWV - Total Points(Required)

Country(Required)

Important Notice: Applications are accepted only from the countries listed below.

Please select the Visa Type you need to verify:(Required)

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Benefits of the Research Visa

Enables temporary residence in South Africa for academic research

Encourages collaboration with South African universities and institutions

Provides access to research facilities, networks, and local expertise

Supports knowledge-sharing and academic advancement

Valid for the approved duration of the research project (typically up to 12 months)

Research Visa Requirements

This visa is designed for foreign nationals who wish to conduct academic research in South Africa for a limited period.

If you are applying for a Research Visa, you will need to show proof of your research purpose, medical cover, and financial means, along with standard visitor visa documentation.

The required documents include:

Completed application form BI-1738

Valid passport (at least 30 days after the intended stay, with at least two blank pages)

Payment of the prescribed fee

Vaccination certificate (if required)

Proof of financial means (bank statements)

Undertaking(s) by host(s) in South Africa (e.g., research institution or university)

Proof of medical cover for the duration of your stay

Medical Certfiicate

Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for the last 5 years for 12 consecutive months since age 18

A letter from the South African research institution confirming:

- - The nature, purpose, and duration of the research project

- - That the institution accepts responsibility for the applicant during their stay

A letter from the applicant’s foreign institution confirming registration, research objectives, and continued enrolment abroad

Proof of return or onward ticket, or a cash deposit equivalent to the cost of a return ticket

Research Visa
Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for a South African Research Visa?

Foreign nationals who have been formally accepted by a South African research institution to conduct short-term academic research.

How long is the Research Visa valid?

It is valid only for the duration of the approved research project, typically up to 12 months.

Can I extend my Research Visa?

No, extensions are generally not granted. You must leave South Africa once your project ends.

Can I work while on a Research Visa?

No, the visa is strictly for research purposes and does not allow general employment.

Can my family accompany me on this visa?

No, dependants are not automatically included. They must apply separately under the appropriate visa category.

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For more information or to clarify your eligibility, contact Xpatweb.

Visitor’s Visa (Section 11(1)(b)(iii) – Research Visa)

The Research Visa allows foreign nationals to live in South Africa temporarily while conducting approved academic research projects. It provides researchers with legal residence for the duration of their project and fosters collaboration with South African institutions.

CONTACT US

Benefits of the Research Visa

Enables temporary residence in South Africa for academic research

Encourages collaboration with South African universities and institutions

Provides access to research facilities, networks, and local expertise

Supports knowledge-sharing and academic advancement

Valid for the approved duration of the research project (typically up to 12 months)

Research Visa Requirements

Research Visa Frequently Asked Questions

CONTACT US

Useful Tools

Research Visa
Frequently Asked Questions