Guide to Your UK Visa Application Process

Headed to the beautiful United Kingdom? Here’s everything you need to know! South African passport holders generally need a visa to visit the UK. If you’re transiting through the UK on your way to another destination, you may also require a transit visa depending on your itinerary and whether you pass through UK border control.

You will need to start your application online, and then make an appointment for an in-person visit to your nearest UK visa application centre. Most visitor and transit visa applications are processed within 3 weeks, although processing times may be longer during peak periods.

Please note this process is applicable to South African passport holders.

Types of Visas

Standard Visitor Visa

To travel, go on holiday, visit family and friends or do business.

Validity: Up to 6 months per visit.

Visa in Transit

To go through border control and leave the airport (en route to another country).

Validity: Allows transit through the UK for up to 48 hours.

Direct Airside Transit Visa

(DATV) – to change flights without going through border control or leaving the airport.

Validity: Allows you to remain in the airport’s international transit area while changing flights without passing through UK border control.

How to Apply For a UK Visa?

The earliest you can make your UK visa application is 3 months before your date of departure.

Decide which visa you need on the UK Visas and Immigration website
Complete the online application
Pay the application fee online via debit or credit card (print out the receipt)
Book an online appointment at the Visa Application Centre
Book and attend your appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre, following the instructions provided during your online application.
Purchase additional value services (optional)
Prepare all necessary documents for your appointment (originals and copies)
Attend your appointment to have your biometrics taken
Collect your passport once the Visa Application Centre notifies you via email

How Much Does a UK Visa Costs

United Kingdom

Cost of visa

Standard Visitor Visa

£127

Direct Airside Transit Visa

£41.50

Visa in Transit

£74.50

Important notice: Payments must be made online prior to your appointment. Ensure that you bring a copy of the receipt with you to your interview. Cash payments will not be accepted at the Visa Application Centre.

Please note that prices are subject to change without notice

What Are The UK Visa Requirements?

Standard Visitor Visa:

Valid passport (valid for 6 months from departure date, with 2 blank pages)
Completed and printed application form
The dates of your trip
Proof of where you will reside in the UK
Bank statements of the last 3 months
Confirmation of income
Proof of residence
Letter of employment; if self-employed please provide business registration documents
Your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
Details of any criminal, civil or immigration offences you may have committed
Visit the official UK government website for an extensive list of supporting documents.

For both UK Transit Visas:

Valid passport
Travel booking confirmation
Valid visa for the country for which you’re departing the UK

Minors (under 18):

Legal birth certificate
Children under 5 years old must apply for their UK visa in person, but are not required to provide fingerprints

Minors travelling unaccompanied or with someone other than their parents must provide:

• Signed letter from parent(s) confirming details of anyone accompanying you, and details of care and accommodation arranged in the UK

• Copy of parent(s) or legal guardian’s biographical page of their passport, which includes their signature and passport number if parent(s) do not have a passport then you must provide another official document which bears their signature

Application Centres

TSL Cape Town

Address: Upper Ground Floor, Media Quarter Building, Corner of De Smit and Somerset Road, De Waterkant, Cape Town

Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 15:30

TSL Johannesburg

Address: 2nd – 3rd Floor, 24 Central Building, 6 Gwen Lane, Corner of Gwen and Fredman Drive, Sandton

Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 15:30

TSL Pretoria

Address: 1st Floor, Menlyn Corner, Frikkie de Beer Street, Corner of Lois Avenue and Atterbury Road, Menlyn

Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 15:30

TSL Gqeberha

Address: Ground floor, Building 66, Fairview Office Park, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth

Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 15:30

Additional Information

Collecting your passport

When collecting your passport, ensure you bring along the TLScontact checklist, and the original as well as a copy of your ID. If someone is collecting your passport on your behalf, they need to additionally submit the original authorisation form, their original ID and copy thereof.

Do I need to pay a Health Surcharge?

The Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply to Standard Visitor or Transit visas. It generally applies to people applying to live, work or study in the UK for longer than six months.

What happens if you miss your visa applications appointment?

If you’re unable to attend your appointment, contact your Visa Application Centre as soon as possible to reschedule. Additional fees may apply depending on your circumstances.

Need assistance with your visa application? Get a free assessment and quote from our expert partners at Visa Box!

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The above information is purely a guide based on the most updated regulations available at the time of publishing. It is ENTIRELY the traveller’s responsibility to ensure that all passports and visas are current, valid, obtained on time, have sufficient blank pages, will be valid for six months after return to their home country and that any vaccinations, inoculations, and the like, where required, have been obtained. It is also the traveller’s responsibility to research the applicable travel requirements for any and all destinations, and to collect the correct documentation for visa applications.

Before booking any flight it is important to check if a transit visa will be required, as this differs between countries and depends on what passport you are holding. Travelstart will endeavour to assist the client if requested, but such assistance will be at Travelstart’s discretion (since this service does not fall within the scope of the Services).

The Client acknowledges that in doing so, Travelstart IS NOT ASSUMING ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY AND THE CLIENT INDEMNIFIES TRAVELSTART against any consequences of the Client’s failure to comply with any such requirements. It is the CLIENT’S DUTY to familiarize him/herself with the inherent dangers of and mental and/or physical condition required for the proposed travel arrangements.