{"id":101995,"date":"2017-11-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/uk-visa-application-process-south-africa\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:54:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:54:37","slug":"uk-visa-application-process-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/uk-visa-application-process-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"The UK Visa Application – A Guide for South Africans"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"UK<\/p>\n

Have you ever longed to explore the many iconic castles situated around <\/span>Swansea<\/span><\/a> or the scenic highlands of <\/span>Inverness<\/span><\/a>? The <\/span>United Kingdom<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is filled with many treasures like this!\u00a0The sovereign nation includes four distinct countries, offering you a diverse cultural experience. Whether it’s London<\/a>,\u00a0England<\/a>, Wales<\/a>, Scotland <\/a>or Northern Ireland<\/a>, you’ll have plenty to discover! With this guide on the UK visa application process, you’ll soon be on your way to enjoying an adventure through this incredible nation.<\/span><\/p>\n

South African passport holders will need a visa for the UK. Fortunately, the entire UK visa application process is explained in this detailed guide. You will need to apply online with\u00a0gov.uk<\/a> or\u00a0visa4uk.fco.gov.uk,<\/a> and finish off your UK visa application at the various UK visa application centres in South Africa. Always apply for your visa at least 1 month before you travel to allow for the processing time (and to save yourself from any stress!).<\/span><\/p>\n

Please note this process is applicable to South African passport holders.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Types of Visas to Apply for:<\/h2>\n

\"UK<\/p>\n

There are different UK visas depending on what your holiday plans are:<\/p>\n

Apply for the\u00a0Standard Visitor Visa<\/strong>\u00a0if you’re visiting the UK as a\u00a0tourist<\/strong> or for\u00a0business<\/strong>.\u00a0You may extend the Standard Visitor Visa as long as the total time you spend in the UK is less than six months. If you\u2019re receiving private medical treatment in the UK during your stay, you can apply to extend your visa for a further six months. This is only possible if you have already paid for the treatment, that you can and will pay the remaining costs of your treatment, and that you continue to meet the requirements*.<\/p>\n

If you wish to go to the UK to get married or register a civil partnership and then head back to South Africa, you should apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you have been invited to the UK by a UK-based organisation to do specific paid work, you should apply for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa<\/strong>. Take note this type of work would be without being sponsored under the points-based visa system, which is part of the 5-tier visa system (see Working in the UK<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

If your child attends an independent fee-paying day school in the UK (see\u00a0Studying in the UK<\/strong>), you can apply for the\u00a0Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa<\/strong>. You may extend the Parent of a Tier 4 Child Visa provided you and your child continue to meet the requirements*. You can extend this visa for 12 months at a time until your child reaches the age of 12.<\/p>\n

If you are passing through the United Kingdom<\/strong> on your way to another destination, you will need a Transit Visa<\/strong>. There are two types:<\/p>\n