Form DHA-84 — Application for a Visa
If the link above does not open: Visit dha.gov.za and search for DHA-84. Also referred to as BI-84.
What Is Form DHA-84?
Form DHA-84 — also referred to as BI-84 — is the official Department of Home Affairs application form for a South African visa. It is used for port of entry visas and transit visas.
A visa allows a foreign national to enter, transit through, or remain in South Africa for a specified period and purpose. South Africans do not need to complete DHA-84 — this form is for foreign nationals only.
Who Needs Form DHA-84?
You need Form DHA-84 if you are a foreign national applying for:
- A port of entry visa (to enter South Africa at a designated port of entry)
- A transit visa (to pass through South Africa to another country)
- A visa to visit South Africa (for certain nationalities not exempt from visa requirements)
South African citizens do not need this form.
Many nationalities are exempt from visa requirements and may enter South Africa without a visa for short visits. Check the current visa exemption list at dha.gov.za or your country’s South African embassy before applying.
Visa Exemption — Check First
Before completing DHA-84, confirm whether your nationality requires a visa for South Africa. Citizens of many countries — including most EU countries, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and most Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations — are exempt from visa requirements for short visits.
If you are exempt, you do not need DHA-84. You enter on your valid passport.
How to Complete Form DHA-84
Complete in black ink, block letters. Do not use correction fluid.
Personal details: Full name exactly as on your passport, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and contact details.
Travel details: Intended date of arrival in South Africa, intended length of stay, port of entry, and purpose of visit.
Accommodation: Where you will be staying in South Africa (hotel name and address, or host’s name and address).
Financial means: Confirmation that you have sufficient funds for your stay. You may be required to show bank statements as supporting documentation.
Declaration: Sign before submitting the form to the South African embassy or consulate.
Documents Required With DHA-84
- Completed Form DHA-84
- Valid passport (minimum 30 days validity beyond your intended departure date from South Africa, with at least 2 unused pages)
- Recent passport-size colour photograph
- Proof of accommodation in South Africa
- Proof of onward travel (return ticket or onward ticket)
- Proof of financial means (bank statements)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelling from a yellow fever endemic country
- Payment of the prescribed visa fee
Additional documents may be required depending on the purpose of your visit. Confirm with the South African embassy or consulate in your country.
Where to Submit DHA-84
Submit your completed DHA-84 and supporting documents to:
- The South African embassy or consulate in your country of residence
- A VFS Global application centre in your country (where available)
Do not submit directly to DHA inside South Africa for a standard entry visa. Applications are processed through South African missions and VFS Global centres abroad.
Visa Fees
Visa fees vary by nationality and visa type. Current fees are published at the South African embassy or consulate in your country and at vfsglobal.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a South African visa on arrival? South Africa does not issue standard visas on arrival at major airports or land border posts. Nationals who require a visa must apply in advance through a South African embassy or consulate or a VFS Global centre.
How long does a South African visa take to process? Standard processing is typically 5 to 10 working days from the date the complete application is received. Processing times vary by embassy and application volume. Apply well in advance of your travel date.
My visa was denied — what can I do? You can appeal the decision in writing to the DHA Director-General within 10 working days of receiving the refusal notice. The appeal must include reasons why the decision should be reconsidered.
Is DHA-84 the same as the visa sticker in my passport? No. DHA-84 is the application form. The visa is the endorsement (sticker or stamp) placed in your passport after the application is approved. The form is submitted as part of the process — it does not constitute the visa itself.
Related Forms
- Form DHA-1738 — Temporary Residence Permit — for longer stays requiring a permit rather than a visa
- Form DHA-947 — Permanent Residence Permit — for permanent residence applications
- Form DHA-529 — Determination of Citizenship Status — relevant for citizenship queries