Quick answers about your visa extension
Small questions, short answers. The big topics have their own pages. We link to them. Each fact shows the date we read it.
Who does what
What is the difference between VFS and Home Affairs?
They are two different offices. VFS takes your papers and your money. Home Affairs reads your papers and decides. VFS cannot say yes or no. We read the VFS site on 30 August 2026.
Can I do the whole visa online?
No. You type your answers online. The visa office prints them for you. Then you go in person. The law says: in person. We read this on 31 August 2026.
Is the visa site in English only?
No. The visa office's site has four languages. English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. We saw this on 1 September 2026.
Does my passport's end date matter?
Yes. Check your passport's end date now. It must go past your trip. The rule: 30 days past your planned leave day. We read this on 29 August 2026.
How much longer can I stay?
Up to three more months. That is the law's limit. The law says months, not 90 days. So count in months. We read the law on 26 August 2026.
Can I change my tourist visa to a work visa?
Mostly no. You cannot change visa type inside South Africa. The law blocks it. A few rare cases exist. One case: your husband or wife is South African. For those cases, ask a lawyer. We read the law on 26 August 2026.
What we do and do not do
Can you apply for me?
No. You must go yourself. The visa office says: "You cannot send someone in your place." We read that on 30 August 2026. We get your papers ready. Then you hand them in.
Can you book my VFS day for me?
No. We never touch your VFS account. We tell you when to book. We tell you how, step by step. You book it yourself.
Do you give legal advice?
No. We are not lawyers. We do not give legal advice. We show you what the law says. We show where we read it. For your own case, ask a lawyer.
Do you promise I will get the visa?
No. Nobody can promise that. Home Affairs decides, not us. We make one promise: if your visa is refused for any reason other than late filing, we pay you back in full. Send us proof of refusal and proof you applied.
Do you see my papers?
No, never. You cannot send papers to our site. Your papers stay with you. We ask you questions instead. Your answers make your letters and lists.
Not sure where you stand? Two dates are enough.
More answers in the guide
How much money will it cost?
The fees have two parts. One for Home Affairs, one for the visa office. See our full cost page: What does it cost to extend your visa?
How long before the answer comes?
There is no official time. The visa office's site gives no number. See our page: How long does a visa extension take?
My visa already ended. What now?
Staying past your visa can mean a ban. The law says "can", not "will". Read our page: What happens if you overstay your visa?
The dates in the answers are the days we read each source. Oldest: 26 August 2026. Newest: 1 September 2026.