South Africa visa renewal and change of status (2026)

South Africa visa renewal and most changes of visa category can be done inside the country by applying to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) through a VFS Global centre. The one rule you cannot break: submit before your current visa expires. The old “at least 60 days before expiry” requirement was waived in October 2026. As of October 2026, the official fee for renewing a work or business visa is R1,520 and for a visitor’s visa R425, plus a VFS service fee.

Renewing or changing your visa inside South Africa infographic (South Africa visa renewal) — Renewing or changing your visa inside South Africa. Data checked October 2026; sources: Gazette 55209, DHA Immigration Directive 13 and Circular 8 of 2026. Click to enlarge.

Who can renew or change status in South Africa

Under the Immigration Act, section 10(7) allows a temporary residence visa to be extended, and section 10(6) allows an in-country application to change your visa category (change of status) or its conditions (such as a new employer). There is one big restriction: holders of a visitor’s visa (including tourist and business visits, and the ETA) or a medical treatment visa generally cannot change status in South Africa. The regulation 9(9) exceptions cover emergency medical treatment of more than three months, the accompanying spouse or child of a business or work visa holder seeking a study or work visa, the spouse or child of a South African citizen or permanent resident, and the parent of a citizen or permanent resident child.

If you entered on a tourist visa or an ETA, you normally have to apply for a work visa from China.

By visa type: can you do it in South Africa?

I hold	Renew in SA?	Change category in SA?	How
ETA (up to 90 days)	Yes, one extension of up to 90 days	Generally no	Online through the ETA system
Visa-centre visitor’s visa (up to 3 months)	Yes, once, for up to 3 more months	Only under the regulation 9(9) exceptions	VFS, official fee R425
Business visa	Yes	Yes, e.g. to a work visa	VFS, official fee R1,520
General or critical skills work visa	Yes	Yes; a new employer or job is a change of conditions	VFS, official fee R1,520
Intra-company transfer (ICT) work visa	No, maximum 4 years	Depends on the case	Plan another visa before it ends
Study, relative’s or spousal visitor’s visa	Yes	Yes, if you meet the new category’s requirements	VFS, official fee R425

Official fees as of October 2026; a change of status is normally charged at the new category’s fee (check VFS).

Step by step

Check the expiry date and start about three months ahead.
Gather documents: the DHA renewal form (Form 10) or change-of-status form (Form 9), passport, photos, an affidavit that you complied with your current visa, and category documents such as an employer letter, proof of registration or proof of funds.
Apply and pay online on the VFS in-country site (visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/dha), paying the Home Affairs and VFS fees, and book an appointment.
Attend VFS for biometrics, hand in originals and keep your receipt. VFS has centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha and other cities.
Track and collect at VFS, then check the name, passport number, dates and conditions.
If refused: you can appeal to the Director-General within 10 working days of receiving the decision.

Fees and processing times

Official fees (Government Gazette No. 55209, 17 August 2026): work, business and corporate visas R1,520; visitor’s, study, relative’s, retired person and exchange visas R425, renewals included.
VFS service fee: charged on top; a university notice puts the in-country fee at about R1,750 from June 2026. Check the VFS site.
Processing time: DHA Circular 8 of 2026 (applications lodged in South Africa from April 2026 to March 2027) targets 4 weeks for work visas, 8 weeks for business visas, 60 working days for visitor’s and study visas, and 120 working days for relative’s and retired person visas.

The 60-day rule is waived, but the expiry deadline is not

Regulations 9(5)(a) and 9(8)(c) required renewals and changes of status to be lodged at least 60 days before expiry, and many were refused on that ground. Immigration Directive 13 of 2026, signed by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber in October 2026, waives that requirement for future applications, pending applications and pending appeals based only on the 60-day rule. The condition: the application must be submitted while your current visa is still valid. After expiry you are treated as an illegal foreigner.

While you wait: Directive 7 of 2026 protects only applications pending on 30 March 2026 (until 30 June 2027); as of October 2026 we found no official rule covering later ones. Do not work outside your visa conditions, and since Chinese passports are not visa-exempt, leaving after your old visa expires means you need a new visa to return.

What happens if you overstay

Under section 30(1)(h) of the Act and regulation 27(3), an overstayer may be declared undesirable (Form 19) on departure:

overstay of 30 days or less: 12-month ban;
overstay of more than 30 days: 5-year ban;
a second overstay within 24 months: 2-year ban.

With good cause, such as hospitalisation or a Home Affairs delay, you can ask the Minister to waive it under section 30(2): email a written representation, Form 19, your passport bio page and any receipt or medical certificate to Overstayappeals@dha.gov.za.

Tips for Chinese applicants

Police clearance: a Chinese certificate of no criminal record (无犯罪记录证明) comes from the public security bureau where you are registered or live; have it notarised and then apostilled. China joined the Apostille Convention on 7 November 2023 and South Africa is also a party, so embassy legalisation is normally no longer needed. If you have lived in South Africa for 12 months or more, you also need a SAPS clearance.
Translations: Chinese documents need an English translation by a sworn translator.
Medical report: waived for visa and permanent residence applications by Immigration Directive 10 of 2026.
Passport: it must be valid at least 30 days beyond the stay you apply for. If it is running out, renew it first through the China Consular (中国领事) app with the Chinese Embassy or a consulate, and take both passports to VFS.

FAQ

Can I switch from a tourist visa to a work visa in South Africa?

Generally not, unless a regulation 9(9) exception applies; otherwise apply from China.

I changed employer. Do I need a new visa?

Yes: a work visa is tied to your employer and job, so apply in-country for a change of conditions and wait for approval before starting.

I have applied for permanent residence. Must I keep renewing my visa?

Yes. Under Directive 7 of 2026, permanent residence applicants must keep their temporary status valid. See the visa section for other visa types.