Relative’s Visa: Fees Breakdown for Nigerians ₦66,400
Below is the complete breakdown of Relative’s 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.
Relative’s 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 evaluation | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Other government feesSource: visa.vfsglobal.com, checked 8 Oct 2026 | ₦29,400 (~$22 USD) |
| Total upfront costs | ₦66,400 (~$49 USD) |
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 ₦66,400 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.
- 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
Relative’s Visa
If you have a spouse, parent, or child who is a South African citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for a Relative’s Visa. The DHA fee for a relative's visa is R425 (none for the spouse or minor child of a citizen or permanent resident); 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). You need: (1) proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate) — all documents must be apostilled or authenticated, (2) a letter of invitation from your South African relative, (3) proof they can financially support you, and (4) police clearance certificate from Nigeria. The visa allows you to live in SA, but DHA says the holder of a relative’s visa may not work. Processing from Nigeria takes a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks through VFS in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt.
Where Nigerians settle in South Africa
Once your Relative’s 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 Relative’s Visa cost for Nigerians moving to South Africa?
- Upfront costs for the Relative’s Visa come to ₦66,400 (about $49). This covers the visa application fee, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Relative’s Visa processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Relative’s 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 Relative’s Visa?
- You need to show ₦696,565 ($518) in savings for the Relative’s 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 Relative’s 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. 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