Visitors Visas are typically associated with short term visits to South Africa i.e. visits to South Africa for 3 months or less. These visas would be issued, often at the port of entry, to persons visiting for tourism or holiday purposes or possibly also for business meeting and / or attending conferences. Such visas can normally, on application, be extended for a further period of 3 months.

Persons visiting South Africa for short term work may also apply for a Visitors Visa for work purposes under Section 11 (2) of the Immigration Act. This work visa is often known as a Section 11 (2) visa, and allows the applicant to undertake short term work, for a period up to 3 months, for a South African company. The Section 11 (2) short term work visa can also, on application, be extended for a further 3 month period.

Visitors visas, however, may also be issued for periods of up to 3 years in specific instances. These instances are spelt out in Section 11 (1) (b) of the Immigration Act which states that a person may be issued with a Visitors visa for a period of up to 3 years for the following purposes:

1. In the case of a person undertaking an academic sabbatical;
2. Where a person will be undertaking voluntary or charitable activities at a South African charity or non-profit organisation. This is typically referred to as a Volunteers Visa.
3. In the case of a person undertaking research at a South African learning or research institution.
4. Any other prescribed activity.

The prescribed activities mentioned in point 4 above are then listed in Section 11 of the Regulations to the Immigration Act that were published in 2014. The specific prescribed activities are the following:

1. For the purposes of a spouse or child accompanying the holder of a work,, retirement, business or study visa.
2. In the event of the applicant being a teacher at an international school.
3. Persons involved in respect of films and advertisements produced in South Africa.
4. A foreign journalist seconded to South Africa by a foreign news agency.
5. A visiting professor or lecturer or an academic researcher.
6. An artist that intends writing, painting or sculpting in South Africa.
7. Person involved in the entertainment industry and that will be travelling through South Africa
8. Persons involved in leading and hosting tours through South Africa.

The Visitors Visa can thus be utilized in a number of different instances, and is very useful for persons wishing to visit South Africa for any of the purposes outlined above.