Canada: do South Africans need a visa?

Tourism, visiting family/friends, business visitor activities. No work or study beyond permitted short courses.23

Confirmed on an official government source

IRCC advises the passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the planned travel date; the visa cannot be valid beyond passport expiry.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Apply online via the IRCC portal (canada.ca) or IRCC Secure Account; paper only for disability or refugee/stateless documents. Fees: CAD 100 processing per person (CAD 500 family cap) plus CAD 85 biometrics (CAD 170 family cap). Biometrics given at a VFS centre after the instruction letter. Processing time for applications from South Africa: 117 days (IRCC data, updated 1 October 2026). Passport is then submitted for the visa counterfoil.24

Confirmed on an official government source

Online to IRCC; biometrics and passport submission at Canada Visa Application Centres run by VFS Global in Pretoria and Cape Town (7th Floor, 2 Long Street). VFS appointment booking is free; optional VFS services (courier R305, premium lounge Pretoria R1,274, etc.) are extra. The High Commission of Canada in Pretoria does not accept applications directly.56

Confirmed on an official government source

Not published by official sources

Applicant must satisfy the officer they will leave at the end of the stay; itinerary/return booking commonly supplied.3

Confirmed on an official government source

Must show enough money for the stay; no fixed amount, it varies by length of stay and whether staying in a hotel or with friends/relatives.3

Confirmed on an official government source

A letter of invitation from someone in Canada may be required depending on circumstances.3

Confirmed on an official government source

None required for visitors; a medical exam may be required in some cases. Canada is not a yellow fever risk country.3

Confirmed on an official government source

Not published by official sources

To stay longer, apply for a visitor record from inside Canada before status expires.8

Confirmed on an official government source

South Africans need a transit visa (free, up to 48 hours, 1 or 2 entries) to connect between international flights in Canada unless they already hold a valid Canadian visitor visa. The Transit Without Visa programme covers only certain nationals (China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan) and US citizens/LPRs, not South Africans.9

Confirmed on an official government source

Children travelling alone or with one parent should carry a consent letter; each child needs own visa. South Africa's own exit rules for minors also apply.3

Confirmed on an official government source