South African Visa Application in Nigeria: Requirements & Application Centres

Applying for any visa can be very hard but with a good guide it will be a stress free experience. All you need is a simple South African visa application in Nigeria guide for your visa application process.  Once you read to the end of this post, you will be booking your ticket to South Africa soonest.

As a Nigerian who needs visa, you will need to first apply at any VFS Global Centre branch in Abuja, Lagos or Port Harcourt. Be sure to apply for your South African visitor visa 4 weeks before your travel date.

South African Visa Application in Nigeria

To give you an in-depth knowledge about South Africa visa application Nigeria, we shall cover some important sub-topics like; types of South African visa, processing times for the visa, South Africa visa requirements for Nigerian citizens, cost of South African visa in Nigeria, plus South African visa application and collection centres in Nigeria.

Types of South African Visas

1. Visitors Visa: The visitors’ visa is for visiting family or vacationing for a short period usually is valid for up to 90 days.
2. Long Stay Visitor Visa: This is for foreign nationals to stay in South Africa for a period between 3 months and 3 years.
3. Business Visa: This is applicable to individuals travelling for business reasons and the duration for the visa ranges from 3 to 5 years.

South African Visa Processing Time in Nigeria 

This takes a lot of time at least six working days except holidays, and note that each applicant undergoes personal assessment.

South African Visa Application Requirements For Nigerians

These are the following documents for a visitor visa:

• A valid passport (valid till 30 days after the intended stay).
• Two identical passport size (45mm x 45mm) photographs on white background.
• Fully completed application form.
• Copy of passport data page and copies of existing visa and previously issued visas.
• Letter of self-introduction with physical address and phone number.
• Recommendation letter from employer, where applicable, signed with contact details.
• Proofs of hotel bookings which must be done directly and not through third parties.
• Full medical status signed by a health practitioner.
• Your financial status with six months of recent bank statements or your sponsor’s financial statement.

Applicants travelling on official business should attach a letter of invitation/confirmation of training/conference, etc. from the relevant South African company with full details of the company’s authorised representative, physical address and phone numbers (landline number compulsory) must be included.

You will also provide supporting letters and other documents which should be attached to the application for minors (children) if there is any.

Marriage certificate where applicable.

Also read: Chinese Visa Application in Nigeria; Requirements and How To Apply

Collection of South African Visa in Nigeria

You can collect your visa at the respective VFS Global Centre. The visa application centre is open from Monday to Friday between 11 am to 3 pm, except on public holidays and over weekends. You should bring along your receipt which you received on the day you submitted your application. You will be notified via SMS when your application has been sent to the South African Embassy on the submission day. You can track your South African visa application online.

South African Visa Costs in Nigeria

Visa Types	Visa Fee in Naira (VAT inclusive	Service in Naira (VAT inclusive)
Short Term: Holiday Visa	₦8,600	₦25,470
Long Term: Business Visa	₦30,600	₦25,470

Passport Courier Service Fee: ₦4,500 per passport.

Must read: Value Added Tax Explained: What is VAT and How To Calculate It

Stay updated with the courier service fees on the VFS website.

The South African visa fee is subject to change without notice. It is based on the current exchange rate.

Applicants are to pay in cash at Bank Implant inside VFS Centre. Be sure to have a copy of the first page of your passport when paying the service and visa fee at the bank.

South African Visa Application Centres in Nigeria

You can apply for your South African visa at VFS Global in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt. All applicants must submit their applications in person at the application centers.

VFS Application Centre – Lagos

Address: Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Opposite Treasure Garden Estate Third Roundabout, Lekki Phase I, Lagos

Phone Contact: +234 815 018 8800

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 15:00

There is a parking bay located outside the visa application centre. Motorbike taxis (okadas), buses and taxis are available to take you to the Visa Application Centre.

VFS Application Centre – Abuja

Address: No. 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja

Phone Contact: +234 81 5018 8800

Submission Timings: Monday to Friday – 08:00 – 15:00

You can find parking at the Big Bites eatery located nearby the visa application centre, or taxis are easily available for drop-off and pick-up.

VFS Application Centre – Port Harcourt

Address: Vineyard Shopping Centre, 88 Woji Road, GRA, Port Harcourt

Phone Contact: +234 81 5018 8800

Submission Times: Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 15:00

There is parking outside the Vineyard Shopping Centre. Buses, taxis and motorcycle taxis are available to get you to the VFS centre.

How To Book an Appointment in The Various Application Centres

Each application centre accepts a set amount of application entries per day. Lagos accepts 230 applications, Abuja accepts 150 and Port Harcourt accepts only 20 applications. It is advised to get to the application centre as early as 7 am in order to hand in your application in good time and avoid long queues.

Where to Print Your Documents:

In Port Harcourt:

Epos Centre International Limited

Address: 256 CAN Link Road, G.R.A Phase 3, Rumueme, Port Harcourt, Rivers

Contact: +234 810 850 3646

Hamiltons Print Resource

Address: 7 Finima Street, Old G.R.A., Woji, Port Harcourt

Contact: +234 803 710 8055

In Abuja:

Stainless Digital Colours Ltd.

Address: Shop Mez 4, Bannex Plaza, Wuse 2, Wuse

Contact: +234 803 588 9103

Lynz Associated Limited

Address: C18, Discovery Mall, Opp. Ecobank, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Wuse, Abuja

Contact: +234 701 920 5000

In Lagos:

Print Centre Limited

Address: Block 68, Plot 23, Bisola Durosinmi Etti Drive, Lekki Phase One, Lagos, Lekki Phase I, Lekki

Contact: +234 1 453 0859

Turnkey Print world Limited

Address: 1b Fola Osibo Street, off, Adebayo Doherty Rd, Eti-Osa, Lagos

Contact: +234 908 734 7668

Nigerian passport holders do require a visitor visa for South Africa, but it can be a smooth process with our South African visa application in Nigeria help as arranged in this post. Feel free to use the social share buttons on this page to share this post on various social media.