Last Updated: 16 September 2026
South Africans need a Canada visitor visa, officially a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), for tourism, family visits and business trips.
Applications are made online through IRCC. First-time applicants usually give biometrics at a visa application centre in South Africa.
Tell us your travel dates, purpose and number of applicants for a Canada visa.
Get Visa AssistanceDo South Africans Need a Visa for Canada?
Yes. South African passport holders are not eligible for an eTA and need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, including for many transit itineraries.
Canada Visa Requirements for South Africans
Requirements vary according to visa type and applicant circumstances. IRCC generally needs to be satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit, have enough money for the trip, and meet health and security requirements.
Confirm the latest requirements before submitting your application.
Types of Canada Visas
| Visa or permission | Typically used for |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (TRV) | Tourism, family visits, business visits |
| Super visa | Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents |
| Transit visa | Passing through a Canadian airport |
| Study and work permits | Longer stays - separate applications |
Canada Tourist Visa
Holidays use the visitor visa. See Canada Tourist Visa South Africa for trip-planning points.
Canada Business Visa
Business visitors - meetings, conferences, buying goods - also apply for the visitor visa, with a business purpose. Work for a Canadian employer needs a work permit.
Canada Visa Guides
How to Apply for a Canada Visa from South Africa
- Create an IRCC account and complete the online visitor visa application.
- Upload supporting documents and pay the visa and biometrics fees.
- Receive the Biometric Instruction Letter and book a VFS Global appointment.
- Give biometrics at a visa application centre.
- If approved, you receive a passport request letter.
- Submit your passport for the visa to be placed in it.
Canada Visa Cost in South Africa
| Cost item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa application | CAD 100 (approx. R1,180) | Official IRCC fee |
| Biometrics (per person) | CAD 85 (approx. R1,000) | Official IRCC fee - valid 10 years |
| VFS Global service and courier charges | Varies - check the VFS fee page | Provider fees |
| Visa assistance (portal application, file review) | R1,500 - R4,500 per applicant | Optional assistance fee |
Fees may change and should be confirmed with the relevant government, embassy, consulate or authorised visa application provider before applying. Rand amounts are approximate conversions and assistance fees are indicative market ranges, not quotations.
Get the assistance fee for your actual Canada application rather than a range.
Compare Visa Assistance QuotesCanada Visa Processing Time
IRCC publishes processing times by country and they change often. Check the official processing times tool before booking travel.
The passport stage after approval adds time. Processing times are estimates and can change.
Where to Apply in South Africa
Applications are made online. Biometrics and passports are handled at VFS Global Canada visa application centres in Pretoria and Cape Town.
Documents Needed
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for the trip |
| Application forms | Completed in the IRCC portal |
| Proof of funds | Bank statements |
| Employment or study proof | Letter with leave approval |
| Travel plan | Itinerary and bookings |
| Invitation letter | For family or business visits |
| Family information | As requested in the portal |
Common Reasons Visa Applications Are Delayed
- Missing biometrics appointment after the BIL.
- Weak explanation of travel purpose.
- Low-quality scans in the portal.
- Passport request letter not acted on promptly.
- Additional document requests.
Visa Application Assistance
Providers can complete the IRCC portal application, prepare your document set and track requests from IRCC. See visa application assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do South Africans need a visa for Canada?
Yes. South Africans need a visitor visa and cannot use an eTA.
How much is a Canada visa from South Africa?
CAD 100 for the visitor visa plus CAD 85 for biometrics, about R2,180 together, before VFS and assistance fees.
Where do I give biometrics for Canada in South Africa?
At VFS Global visa application centres in Pretoria or Cape Town.
Do I need biometrics every time?
Biometrics are generally valid for 10 years, so repeat applicants may not need to give them again.
Can I apply online?
Yes. Canada visitor visa applications are made online through IRCC.
Use Visa Application to get more than one quote before you pay anyone to help with a Canada application.
Related Pages
Visa approval is solely at the discretion of the relevant immigration authority. Visa Application is not a government department, embassy, consulate or visa application centre, and no provider can guarantee approval, appointment availability or processing time.
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