General Work Visa: Fees Breakdown for Nigerians ₦259,881
Below is the complete breakdown of General Work Visa fees for Nigerian applicants moving to South Africa. Every line item is verified against the official immigration authority schedule — application fee, health surcharge, language test, credential evaluation, and other government fees.
General Work Visa fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application feeSource: assets.ctfassets.net, checked 8 Oct 2026 | ₦37,000 (~$27 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to youSource: dha.gov.za, checked 8 Oct 2026 | ₦696,565 (~$518 USD) |
| Health surcharge or insurance | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Credential evaluationSource: saqa.org.za, checked 8 Oct 2026 | ₦193,481 (~$144 USD) |
| Other government feesSource: visa.vfsglobal.com, checked 8 Oct 2026 | ₦29,400 (~$22 USD) |
| Total upfront costs | ₦259,881 (~$193 USD) |
Priced at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s exchange rates of a year ago, these fees would have come to about ₦270,000: ₦10,000 more than today (CBN rates as of 2 Nov 2026). Every country, then and now.
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 5 November 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦259,881 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦37,000: Paid to the South Africa immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Credential evaluation — ₦193,481: A recognised assessment body checks that your Nigerian degree and certificates meet South Africa’s standards. Allow 4–8 weeks for this process.
- Proof of funds — ₦696,565: Your own savings — not paid to anyone. Must sit in your bank account, unencumbered, for typically 28–90 days before your application date.
- Other government fees — ₦29,400: Includes residence permit issuance, VFS Global service charge, or biometric enrolment fees where applicable.
Expert tip
General Work Visa
The General Work Visa is for occupations NOT on the Critical Skills List. The key requirement: your employer must prove they could not find a South African citizen or permanent resident for the role — this means advertising the position for 4+ weeks on the Department of Employment and Labour’s portal. Your employer applies through the system, not you. You need SAQA evaluation of your qualifications (R2,361 / ~$143), a confirmed job offer, and proof of funds (R8,500/month per person). Applying from Nigeria, you pay a ₦37,000 visa fee plus a ₦29,400 VFS service charge in Lagos or Abuja (₦49,400 in Port Harcourt). The High Commission’s processing time from Nigeria is a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks. The visa is tied to your specific employer — changing jobs requires a new visa application.
Where Nigerians settle in South Africa
Once your General Work Visa is approved, most Nigerians head to Johannesburg or Cape Town. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- Johannesburg: 1-bedroom rent ₦630,269/month · Lagos–Johannesburg flights from ~$420 · Nigerian community: Very Large
- Cape Town: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,065,335/month · Lagos–Cape Town flights from ~$460 · Nigerian community: Medium
- Durban: 1-bedroom rent ₦585,279/month · Lagos–Durban flights from ~$450 · Nigerian community: Medium
Life in Johannesburg
Johannesburg has the largest Nigerian community in South Africa — and one of the largest in Africa. Hillbrow, Yeoville, and Berea are traditional Nigerian hubs with churches, restaurants, and social clubs, but these areas have high crime rates. Safer options with Nigerian presence include Sandton, Fourways, Midrand, and Randburg where 1-bed apartments cost R8,000–12,000/month ($480–$720). Johannesburg is the economic capital with the most job opportunities, especially in finance, mining, IT, and professional services. Safety tip: avoid walking alone at night, use Uber instead of minibus taxis, and research neighborhoods thoroughly — safety varies block-by-block. Direct flights from Lagos on South African Airways take about 6 hours.
4% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose South Africa as their destination. Average Japa Score: 7.2/10. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦300K–₦600K.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the General Work Visa cost for Nigerians moving to South Africa?
- Upfront costs for the General Work Visa come to ₦259,881 (about $193). This covers the visa application fee, credential evaluation of ₦193,481, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does General Work Visa processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the General Work Visa is Minimum 6–8 weeks from Nigeria (South African High Commission). Apply from the South Africa High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the General Work Visa?
- You need to show ₦696,565 ($518) in savings for the General Work Visa. This money stays in your account — it is not paid to the government. Funds must be unencumbered: fixed deposits locked for a term or joint accounts with conditions may be queried by the officer.
- What documents do I need for the General Work Visa application from Nigeria?
- Core documents include a valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of eligibility for this visa category. Credential evaluation from an approved body is required to verify your Nigerian qualifications. Include 6 months of bank statements showing the ₦696,565 proof-of-funds requirement is consistently met.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into South Africa.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 5 November 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last reviewed: 8 Oct 2026