Ever wanted to explore the French vineyards of Bordeaux or the Spanish Steps in Rome? Now you can explore the best of Europe, with this step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Schengen Visa. Visa applications can be a stressful task, so we’ve included everything you need to know to ensure you’re well prepared for the application process. Now all that’s left to do is book your ticket and pack your bags!
You will need a Schengen Visa if you are a South African passport holder and travelling to one or more of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Please note this process is applicable to South African passport holders.
Types of Visas
There are two types of Schengen Visas: a tourist Schengen Visa and Business Schengen Visa.
Validity of Schengen Visa
A multiple entry Schengen Visa allows the holder to stay within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a six-month period. You may leave and return any number of times within this period as long as the combined stay does not exceed 90 days.
Learn more about the Business Schengen Visa.
How long does it take to get a Schengen Visa?
The processing of a Schengen Visa usually takes about 10 working days. However, it could be slightly longer if additional documents are required. Most websites allow you to track your application online.
You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection. If you did not opt for the visa courier service you will need to collect your passport from the visa application centre. You will need to provide proof of payment and identity.
Schengen Visa Cost
The Schengen Visa cost in South Africa will vary depending on the age of the applicant and which application process you use.
Costs can vary from R 427.22 to R 960.00. Agencies usually charge a service fee on top of the Consular Visa fees and offer additional services such as a Visa Courier facility. Processing times and terms and conditions vary from agency to agency.
Schengen Visa Requirements
- A completed Schengen Visa application.
- An original and copy of your South African passport. The passport will need to be valid for at least three months beyond your date of return, not be older than 10 years, and have at least two blank pages.
- Two colour photographs that meet the Schengen requirements.
- Copy of return flights and travel itinerary (i.e. accommodation reservations or a letter from a host and a copy of their ID).
- Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the trip (i.e. Three months bank statements or proof of purchased foreign exchange).
- Proof of employment or full-time study (i.e. a letter from your employer or educational institution stating that you are taking leave and will be returning to the country).
- Schengen Travel Medical Insurance to cover any repatriation costs and medical expenses.
- An unabridged birth certificate that has been stamped by Home Affairs within the six-month period before applying for a Schengen visa is required for children younger than 18. Supporting documents may be required, such as marriage certificates, a letter stating that the child will be supported by their parent during the trip, and a certified letter from the parent who is not travelling with the child.
Note: Documents may vary from country to country.
Schengen Visa application
- Book an appointment at the embassy or through the website of a visa service provider.
- Plan and make the necessary reservations for your trip. You will need to submit copies of your flight reservation and hotel bookings with your application.
- You are only allowed to be in the Schengen area for up to three months, so ensure your trip does not exceed this time period. It is also recommended that you buy travel insurance, in case your visa is not approved and you have to cancel your trip.
- Download and complete the Schengen Visa application form.
- Gather all your documents. Follow the link for a detailed explanation of the Schengen Visa requirements for South African citizens.
- Submit your application and attend the interview in person at the embassy/consulate or visa application centre. You will need to pay the relevant fees and may be required to give biometrics.
- When answering the interview questions, answer firmly and ensure you offer the correct information. Some questions you may be asked include: Which countries are you planning on visiting? What is the purpose of your visit? Where are you going to stay?
Note: You can apply up to 12 weeks before you travel.
Where to apply for a Schengen Visa
There are two options when applying for a Schengen Visa: in person at the embassy or consulate, or through one of the visa processing agents.
- If you are only travelling to one Schengen country, you will need to apply for the visa at the embassy or consulate for that country.
- If you are travelling to more than one Schengen country, you will need to apply for the visa at the embassy or consulate of the country you will be spending most of your time.
- If you will be spending equal time in each Schengen country, you will need to apply for the visa at the embassy or consulate of the first country you will be visiting.
Many countries have outsourced the application process to an external service provider. Some of these agencies include Intergate Visalink, VFS Global, and Capago. Companies such as MDS VisaPak offer collections and tracking. You will still need to appear in person to provide biometrics.
Note: If you will be visiting other countries outside of the Schengen area, you will need to apply for additional visas to those countries before applying for a Schengen Visa.
Embassies
| Embassy of Austria | Embassy of Belgium
(also represents Luxembourg) |
||
| Address: | 454 A Fehrsen Street,
Brooklyn, Pretoria, 0181 |
Address: | 625 Leyds Street,
Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002 |
| Phone: | (+27) 012 452 9155 | Phone: | (+27) 012 440 3201 |
| Business hours: | Monday to Thursday
09:00 – 12:00 |
Business hours: | Monday to Friday
08:30 – 12:30 |
| Email: | pretoria-ob@bmeia.gv.at | Email: | pretoria@diplobel.fed.be |
| Website: | www.bmeia.gv.at | Website: | southafrica.diplomatie.belgium.be |
| Embassy of the Czech Republic
|
Royal Danish Embassy
(also represents Iceland) |
||
| Address: | 936 Pretorius Street,
Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083 |
Address: | iParioli Office Park, Block B2,
1166 Park Street, Hatfield, 0083 |
| Phone: | (+27) 012 431 2380 | Phone: | (+27) 012 440 3201 |
| Business hours: | Monday to Thursday
09:00 – 12:00 |
Business hours: | Tuesday and Thursday
09:00 – 11:00 |
| Email: | pretoria@embassy.mzv.cz | Email: | pryambvisa@um.dk |
| Website: | www.mzv.cz | Website: | sydafrika.um.dk |
| Embassy of Finland | Consulate General of France | ||
| Address: | 628 Leyds Street,
Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002 |
Address: | 191 Jan Smuts Avenue
Parktown North Johannesburg, 2196 |
| Phone: | (+27) 012 343 0276 | Phone: | (+27) 011 778 5618 |
| Business hours: | Monday to Friday
08:00 – 12:30 13:30 – 15:00 |
Business hours: | Monday to Friday
08:30 – 13:00 |
| Email: | visa.pre@formin.fi | Email: | visas.johannesburg-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr |
| Website: | www.finland.org.za | Website: | johannesburg.consulfrance.org |
| Embassy of Germany | Consulate General of Greece | ||
| Address: | 201 Florence Ribeiro Avenue,
Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0181 |
Address: | 261 Oxford Road,
Illovo, Sandton, 2196 |
| Phone: | (+27) 012 427 8900 | Phone: | (+27) 011 214 2300
(+27) 011 214 2316 |
| Business hours: | Monday to Thursday
08:00 – 14:00 Friday 08:00 – 13:00 |
Business hours: | Monday to Tuesday
09:00 – 13:30 Thursday to Friday 09:00 – 13:30 |
| Email: | info@pretoria.diplo.de | Email: | greekconsulate-johannesburg@mfa.gr |
| Website: | www.southafrica.diplo.de | Website: | www.mfa.gr |
| Embassy of Hungary
(also represents Latvia) |
Embassy of Italy
(also represents Malta) |
||
| Address: | 959 Arcadia Street,
Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083 |
Address: | 796 George Avenue,
Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083 |
| Phone: | (+27) 012 430 3030 | Phone: | (+27) 012 423 0000 |
| Business hours: | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
09:00 – 12:00 |
Business hours: | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
09:30 – 12:00 Wednesday 14:00 – 16:00 |
| Email: | mission.prt@mfa.gov.hu | Email: | segreteria.pretoria@esteri.it |
| Website: | www.mfa.gov.hu | Website: | www.ambpretoria.esteri.it |
| Embassy of Lithuania | Embassy of the Netherlands | ||
| Address: | 235 Grosvenor Street,
Hatfield Pretoria, 0028 |
Address: | 210 Florence Ribeiro Avenue,
Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0181 |
| Phone: | (+27) 012 760 9000 | Phone: | (+27) 012 425 4500 |
| Business hours: | Monday to Thursday
08:00 – 17:00 Friday 08:00 – 15:45 |
Business hours: | Monday to Thursday
08:00 – 17:00 Friday 08:00 – 13:00 |
| Email: | amb.za@urm.lt | Email: | pre@minbuza.nl |
| Website: | za.mfa.lt | Website: | www.netherlandsandyou.nl |
| Royal Norwegian Embassy | Embassy of Poland | ||
| Address: | 165 Lynnwood Road,
Brooklyn, Pretoria, 0181 |
Address: | 14 Amos Street,
Colbyn, Pretoria, 0083 |
| Phone: | (+27) 012 364 3700 | Phone: | (+27) 012 430 2631
(+27) 012 430 2632 |
| Business hours: | Monday to Friday
09:00 – 12:00 |
Business hours: | Monday
14:00 – 18:00 Tuesday to Friday 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Email: | visa.pretoria@mfa.no | Email: | konsulat.pretoria@msz.gov.pl |
| Website: | www.norway.no | Website: | www.pretoria.msz.gov.pl |
| Consulate General of Portugal | Consulate General of Slovakia | ||
| Address: | 11 Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue,
Bruma, Johannesburg, 2198 |
Address: | 930 Arcadia Street,
Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 |
| Phone: | (+27) 011 622 0645
(+27) 011 622 0646 |
Phone: | (+27) 012 342 2051
(+27) 012 342 2052 |
| Business hours: | Monday to Thursday
8:30 – 15:00 |
Business hours: | Tuesday and Thursday
9:30 – 13:00 |
| Email: | consulado.joanesburgo@mne.pt | Email: | emb.pretoria@mzv.sk |
| Website: | www.cgj.org.za | Website: | www.mzv.sk |
| Consulate General of Slovenia | Embassy of Spain | ||
| Address: | 9 Queen Street,
Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550 |
Address: | 337 Brooklyn Road,
Brooklyn, Pretoria, 0181 |
| Phone: | (+27) 021 976 6249 | Phone: | (+27) 012 460 0123 |
| Business hours: | Monday to Friday
09:00 – 16:00 |
Business hours: | Monday to Thursday
08:00 – 16:30 Friday 08:00 – 13:30 |
| Email: | info@slovenianconsulate.co.za | Email: | emb.pretoria.vis@maec.es |
| Website: | www.slovenianconsulate.co.za | Website: | www.exteriores.gob.es |
| Embassy of Sweden
(also represents Estonia) |
Embassy of Switzerland
(also represents Liechtenstein) |
||
| Address: | 1166 Park Street,
Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028 |
Address: | 225 Veale Street,
Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0181 |
| Phone: | (+27) 012 426 6400 | Phone: | (+27) 012 452 0660 |
| Business hours: | Monday
09:00 – 12:00 Wednesday to Thursday 09:00 – 12:00 |
Business hours: | Monday to Friday
09:00 – 12:00 |
| Email: | ambassaden.pretoria@gov.se | Email: | pre.visa@eda.admin.ch |
| Website: | www.swedenabroad.com | Website: | www.eda.admin.ch |
Getting to the embassy / parking options
Many embassies do not offer parking for the public, so arriving by public transportation or drop-off is recommended. An extensive public transport network will ensure getting to and from the embassy is relatively easy. Options include: Gautrain, MyCiTi, Uber, public buses, metered taxis, and minibus taxis.
Printing and Visa Photographs
For printing and photographs, the following businesses can be found in the surrounding area:
Pretoria
PostNet
| Address: | Shop 4, Brooklyn Design Square,
309 Veale Street, Pretoria |
| Telephone: | (+27) 012 460 1484 |
Kodak Express
| Address: | Shop 1, Brooklyn Mall,
Corner Veale and Fehrsen Streets, New Muckleneuk |
| Telephone: | (+27) 012 346 0868 |
Johannesburg
PostNet
| Address: | Corner St. David’s Place and Wellington Road, Parktown |
| Telephone: | (+27) 011 484 2134 |
Kodak Express
| Address: | High Point Shopping Centre,
Kotze Street, Hillbrow, Johannesburg |
| Telephone: | (+27) 011 447 4056 |
Cape Town
Digital Express
| Address: | Shop 10
2 Long Street, Cape Town |
| Telephone: | (+27) 021 418 5099 |
Tothills Photo-chemists
| Address: | Boland Bank Building,
18 Lower Burg Street, Cape Town |
| Telephone: | (+27) 021 421 2421 |
Durban
PostNet
| Address: | Shop 6, Cowey Park Shopping Centre,
91 Problem Mkhize Road, Essenwood, Berea |
| Telephone: | (+27) 031 208 0166 |
Foto First
| Address: | Shop G48, City View,
10 Matthews Meyiwa Road, Greyville |
| Telephone: | (+27) 031 309 8928 |
*Disclaimer!
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart is not affiliated with immigration authorities or their application centres and will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this volatile information.