Visitor Visa for applicants from South Africa

Source: IRCC processing times, updated October 26, 2026

• South African citizens need a visitor visa; South Africa is not on the eTA list.
• Pretoria visa office checklist (IMM 5971, May 2026): passport valid at least 6 months from travel with at least 2 blank pages.
• A signed verification consent form and copies of all cancelled or expired passports.
• Sponsor documents must be dated within 3 months of applying.
• Biometrics at VACs in Pretoria or Cape Town.

Biometrics

Give biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a visa application centre in Pretoria or Cape Town after paying the biometrics fee; biometrics given for a visitor visa or study permit stay valid for 10 years, and IRCC cannot issue a visa or permit beyond their expiry date.

Visa application centres: Pretoria, Cape Town.

Official IRCC page

Medical exam

South Africa is on IRCC's list of countries where an immigration medical exam is required for stays over 6 months, so most study permit applicants (and visitors staying more than 6 months, including super visa applicants) need an exam by an IRCC panel physician; your own doctor cannot do it. Find a panel physician: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/PanelPhysicianMedecinDesigne/en/Home The Pretoria study instructions confirm that studies of 6 months or longer require a medical exam and that an upfront exam is allowed.

Police certificate

The Pretoria study checklist requires an original SAPS police clearance certificate, issued within the past 6 months, for every person aged 23 or older on the application if the stay will exceed 6 months. Private 'Criminal Inquiry Certificates' and Ideco Biometrics certificates are not accepted. No upfront certificate is listed for visitor visas.

South Africa's certificate: Police Clearance Certificate (South African Police Service (Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, Pretoria)).

Official IRCC page

• ircc.canada.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp?countrySelect=ZA
• ircc.canada.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm5971e.PDF
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html
• canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/biometrics/where-to-give.html

Checked against these pages on October 11, 2026. Visa offices update their checklists; always use the version linked from your application.

• Bangladesh
• Cameroon
• Egypt
• Ghana
• India
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Philippines

• Study Permit from South Africa

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