Visitor’s visa
If you’re a citizen of another country and want to travel to South Africa to attend FIGO Cape Town 2025 then you may need a visa. The “visitor” visa is for international travellers who permanently reside outside South Africa. It’s also for those who wish to visit the country on a more temporary basis for tourism or business purposes. Once acquired, this visa is valid for a period of 90 days or less.
Since the XXV FIGO World Congress is a global event, we strive to facilitate the participation of our international delegates. Please note that FIGO is unable to take responsibility for declined or late visa applications. FIGO may, at its discretion, issue refunds on registration fees paid by delegates if they are no longer able to attend the Congress due to difficulties obtaining the required visa where the person can demonstrate that the visa was applied for in a timely manner.
Do you need a visa?
Requirements for visitor’s visas differ from country to country. To check your visa requirements, including whether you are exempt from needing a visa, please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website.
As each application is treated as an individual case, you should make enquiries with your nearest South African mission or consulate abroad, or any office of the Department of Home Affairs, to see whether or not you are required to apply for a visa.
Preparing your visa application
When completing your registration for FIGO Cape Town 2025 online, you can ask to receive a letter of invitation from the Congress organisers to support your visa application. Letters of invitation are issued upon request once your registration fee has been paid. If you need help obtaining your letter of invitation, please contact us.
To find out more about the different visa requirements, including what documents you will need to have ready for your visa application, please visit the South African Tourism website.
Applying for your visa
VFS Global
VFS Global are one agency who can process individual visa applications for delegates travelling to South Africa from the following countries:
- India
- Nigeria
- China
- DRC
- Uganda
- Iran
- UAE
- Mongolia
- Senegal
- Pakistan
- Philippines
Visit the VFS Global website to find out more.
Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS)
Through the Trusted Tour Operator System (TTOS), vetted and approved tour operators from India and China will register with the Department of International Relations. In exchange for undergoing thorough screening up-front and assuming responsibility for travellers in their groups, the Department will for the very first time process group applications from Chinese and Indian tourists travelling with approved operators. Tourist visa applications processed through TTOS will be handled by a dedicated and skilled team of adjudicators to ensure swift and reliable processing.
For a list of the companies who are registered with the scheme, please visit the TTOS web page on the Department of Home Affairs website.
eVisa
Some countries are eligible to apply for an eVisa online.
South African missions or consulates abroad
For delegates from other countries who require a visa to travel to South Africa but are not supported by VFS Global, the TTOS or eVisa services, you should contact your nearest South African mission or consulate abroad.
For a full list of South Africa representation abroad, and contact information for each office, please visit the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s website.
