A South Africa visa has to be obtained in advance by citizens of Azerbaijan, and this is one of the destinations that takes the most time to plan. The reason is not that the visa is difficult but geography: South Africa has no embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan is covered by the embassy in Ankara, and the application has to be made in person.
In this article we explain where and how the application is made, the documents, the timings and the practical points anyone heading for Cape Town and a safari should know.
Do you need a South Africa visa?
Yes. The Republic of South Africa applies neither a visa-free regime, nor a visa on arrival, nor an electronic visa to the Azerbaijani passport. For tourism, visiting relatives and business meetings a visitor’s visa is obtained, and it usually allows a stay of up to 30 days, sometimes up to 90.
| Visa type | Visitor’s visa |
| Where to apply | The South African embassy in Ankara (accredited to Azerbaijan) |
| In person | Required |
| Processing time | 7–14 working days, longer in practice |
| Length of stay | Usually up to 30 days |
| Direct flight | None, via Doha, Dubai or Istanbul |
Where is the South Africa visa issued?
The South African embassy in Ankara covers Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan as well as Türkiye. That means a citizen of Azerbaijan has to apply in Ankara. And that means two trips: one to hand in the documents and give fingerprints, and another to collect the passport, unless you use a courier service. It is doable because citizens of Azerbaijan travel to Türkiye without a visa, but it costs money and time.
Contacting the embassy in advance for an appointment and confirming the current list of documents is essential. The embassy’s official information is on the page of the South African embassy in Ankara. The fee is set by the embassy in local currency and is paid when you apply.
The documents for a South Africa visa
South Africa’s document requirements go wider than the standard Schengen package.
For those travelling with children South Africa has a special requirement: the full form of the child’s birth certificate, with the names of both parents, apostilled and translated into English. If the child is travelling with one parent, the other parent’s notarised consent is needed as well. Without these documents the child is not let through the border.
Read next: An Australia visa: every detail of the online application for subclass 600
How do you fly from Baku to South Africa?
There is no direct flight. People fly to Johannesburg and Cape Town with Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates via Dubai and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. The whole journey takes 14–18 hours. As the transit is in the Gulf or in Istanbul, no extra visa is needed. Air ticket prices change sharply with the season; in South Africa summer falls in December and January, and that is the most expensive time.
Most people going to South Africa combine Cape Town, the Wine Route and a Kruger safari in one itinerary. Such a trip is hard to put together on your own, so a foreign group tour on African routes is the more comfortable option: the tour operator also prepares the invitation and hotel documents for the visa.
Things to know before the trip
- Safety. Theft and robbery are common in the big cities. Not walking at night, keeping the car doors locked and not displaying valuables are the basic rules.
- Driving. Traffic drives on the left. An international driving licence is required.
- Malaria. There is a malaria risk in Kruger Park and the north-eastern regions, so consult a doctor about prophylaxis.
- Money. The rand. Cards work everywhere, so take little cash.
- Season. May–September is the best time for a safari, November–March for Cape Town.
Frequently asked questions about the South Africa visa
How many days does a South Africa visa take?
The embassy states 7–14 working days, but with the trip to Ankara and the return of the passport the real process takes 4–6 weeks. Start at least 2 months before the trip.
Can the documents be sent by post?
Usually not, because fingerprints are taken and attendance in person is required. In some cases the embassy may make an exception, and that has to be asked about in advance.
Can you cross into the neighbouring countries on a South Africa visa?
No, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe need separate visas. Many of them issue an electronic visa, but check each country separately.
In closing
The hardest part of getting a South Africa visa is the trip to Ankara; the rest is ordinary paperwork. If you plan the timing properly the process goes without trouble. The Viza.az team helps with putting the document folder together, arranging the appointment at the embassy and planning the Ankara trip.
You can read more about the South Africa destination or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. Accreditation and document requirements can change, so contact the embassy before you apply.
