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Visa required
South Africa visa for Nigerian citizens
Nigeria is not on South Africa's visa-exempt list, so a visitor visa is required in advance for holidays, business, or family visits.
Fee
Fee is set by the South African Department of Home Affairs and payable at the time of application through VFS Global.
Processing time
Around 60 working days is commonly cited for standard processing — apply well ahead of your travel date.
Max stay
Typically up to 90 days per visit for a standard visitor visa, though exact terms are set on the visa itself.
Who needs this
All Nigerian citizens travelling to South Africa for tourism, business, or family visits need a visitor visa arranged in advance — it is not available on arrival.
Document checklist
Valid Nigerian passport with blank pages
Completed visa application form
Proof of accommodation and return flight
Bank statements showing sufficient funds
Yellow fever certificate if arriving from or transiting a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
Application steps
- 1Complete the application through the Department of Home Affairs or VFS Global portal
- 2Submit documents and biometrics at a VFS Global centre in Nigeria
- 3Pay the applicable fee
- 4Wait for a decision
How Tripmate can help
Flight and hotel packages for Cape Town and Johannesburg
Document checklist support
Airport transfer arrangements
South Africa Department of Home Affairs — visa types
Processing time and fee should be confirmed directly with the Department of Home Affairs or VFS Global at the time of application, as both can vary. Visa rules change quickly — always confirm current fees and documents on the official link above before applying or paying anything.
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