South African passport: visa requirements for 199 destinations

Freedom of movement (1)

• South AfricaFree movement

  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 13(2), says everyone has the right to leave any country, including their own, and to return to their country.

Visa-free destinations (55)

• AngolaVisa-free

  Exempt from visa requirements for short stays under the terms of bilateral agreements.

• Antigua and BarbudaVisa-freeup to 180 daysFee: 150 XCD
• ArgentinaVisa-freeup to 90 days (+90 days)
• BahamasVisa-free

  The Bahamas Department of Immigration says that, under official international visa agreements, visa requirements are waived for citizens of the listed countries who visit and remain in The Bahamas for no more than three months or eight months, as each individual agreement may dictate.

• BarbadosVisa-freeup to 180 days
• BelizeVisa-free
• BeninVisa-freeup to 90 days
• BoliviaVisa-free
• BotswanaVisa-freeup to 90 days
• BrazilVisa-freeup to 90 days
• Cabo VerdeVisa-freeup to 30 days
• ChileVisa-freeup to 90 days (+90 days)

  Chile's migration service says a holder of a Permanencia Transitoria permit, whatever its original length, may extend it once, by up to ninety calendar days, and must start the extension procedure before the original period on the Tarjeta Única Migratoria (TUM) expires.

• Costa RicaVisa-freeup to 180 days

  Costa Rica's visa directives say the maximum legal stay for this group is set by the immigration officer who carries out the entry check, and may in no case exceed 180 calendar days from entry.

• DominicaVisa-freeup to 180 days
• Dominican RepublicVisa-freeup to 30 days

  The Dominican Foreign Ministry's visa lookup says they may enter Dominican territory under Decree 690-07 of 18 December 2007, for tourist purposes only.

• El SalvadorVisa-freeup to 90 days
• EswatiniVisa-free
• FijiVisa-freeup to 120 days (+60 days)
• GabonVisa-free
• GeorgiaVisa-freeup to 365 days
• GrenadaVisa-free
• GuatemalaVisa-freeup to 90 days

  Guatemala's Migration Code (Decree 44-2016, article 74): tourists or travellers are foreigners who have entered regularly for lawful purposes, without seeking temporary or permanent residence; their stay may not exceed 90 days, extendable once.

• GuyanaVisa-freeup to 30 days (+90 days)
• Hong KongVisa-freeup to 30 days
• JamaicaVisa-free
• KenyaVisa-freeup to 90 days
• KiribatiVisa-freeup to 90 days

  Kiribati's Entry and Visa Exemption Order 2023 says the maximum stay under this exemption must not exceed 90 days in any 12-month period.

• LesothoVisa-free
• MacauVisa-freeup to 30 days
• MalaysiaVisa-freeup to 90 days (+60 days)
• MauritiusVisa-free
• MicronesiaVisa-freeup to 30 days (+60 days)
• MozambiqueVisa-freeup to 30 days

  Mozambique's eVisa portal lists South Africa in its visa-exempt table: ordinary passport, 30 days, tourism and business.

• NamibiaVisa-free

  Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs fact sheet lists this nationality under: nationals of the following countries do not require visas to enter Namibia for holidays (all passport types).

• NicaraguaVisa-free
• OmanVisa-freeup to 14 days

  Oman's Foreign Ministry says visitors entering without a visa must have a return ticket, a confirmed hotel reservation, health insurance, and enough money to cover their living costs during their stay in Oman.

• PanamaVisa-freeup to 90 days
• ParaguayVisa-freeup to 90 days
• PeruVisa-freeup to 90 days (+90 days)

  Peru's visa-exemption table: 90 days, extendable once for an equal period, within 365 days counted from first entry into Peru.

• PhilippinesVisa-freeup to 30 days
• QatarVisa-freeup to 30 days
• RussiaVisa-freeup to 90 days
• Saint LuciaVisa-free
• SamoaVisa-freeup to 90 days
• SingaporeVisa-free
• TanzaniaVisa-free
• ThailandVisa-freeup to 30 days (+30 days)

  The Royal Thai Embassy says nationals of the 60 listed countries and territories are entitled to visa exemption for tourism for a stay of up to 30 days, which can be extended for another period of up to 30 days solely at the immigration officer's discretion.

• TogoVisa-freeup to 30 days

  Togo Voyage says all African nationals holding a valid passport may enter Togo without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, provided they have completed the immigration form at least 24 hours before arrival.

• TunisiaVisa-free
• TuvaluVisa-freeup to 30 days (+30 days)

  Tuvalu's mission to the UN says visas are not required for stays in Tuvalu of up to 30 days, and that entry permits for a maximum one-month stay are issued on arrival to travellers with a valid passport (at least 6 months from the date of arrival), sufficient funds, proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket.

• UruguayVisa-freeup to 90 days
• VanuatuVisa-freeup to 120 days

  Vanuatu's Department of Immigration says the tourist visa does not allow extensions, and the holder must depart the country before the 120-day period expires.

• VenezuelaVisa-free

  Venezuela's Foreign Ministry includes this nationality in its "list of countries exempt from the tourist visa to enter the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by air".

• ZambiaVisa-freeup to 90 days

  Zambia's Department of Immigration says all ordinary visitors, business visitors and tourists are entitled to a free 90-day visit in any period of 12 months from the day of first entry; the days may not all be given at once, so a visitor may be required to have them extended at the nearest immigration office, free of charge.

• ZimbabweVisa-free

eVisa / ETA destinations (48)

• AlbaniaeVisaup to 90 days

  Albania's visa fee list names the Albanian missions in Rome or London as where to apply. Type C visa: EUR 25 (one entry), EUR 25 (two entries), EUR 25 (multiple entries). Type D visa: EUR 25.

• ArmeniaeVisaFee: 39 USD
• AustraliaeVisaFee: 250 AUD
• AzerbaijaneVisaup to 30 daysFee: 20 USD
• BahraineVisaup to 14 daysFee: 10 BHD
• BhutaneVisaFee: 40 USD

  Bhutan's Immigration Rules say a foreigner cleared as a tourist may stay for the actual duration of the stay or ninety days, whichever is less.

• CambodiaeVisaFee: 35 USD

  Cambodia's eVisa portal announces that the Cambodia e-Visa "Type E" is now available for all countries.

• CamerooneVisaFee: 153 EUR
• ChadeVisa

  Chad's immigration directorate says that after 21 May 2026 any visa issued outside the evisa.td platform is considered invalid and does not allow entry into the country.

• ColombiaeVisa
• Côte d'IvoireeVisaFee: 73 EUR
• CubaeVisaup to 90 days (+90 days)
• Democratic Republic of the CongoeVisaFee: 300 USD
• EgypteVisaFee: 30 USD
• EthiopiaeVisaFee: 62 USD

  Ethiopia's eVisa portal lists two single-entry tourist visas: 30 days for USD 62 and 90 days for USD 152.

• GhanaETAup to 90 daysFee: Free
• GuineaeVisa
• IndiaeVisaFee: 25 USD
• IsraelETAup to 90 daysFee: 25 ILS
• KazakhstaneVisaup to 30 daysFee: 60 USD
• KyrgyzstaneVisa
• LaoseVisaup to 30 days
• LibyaeVisa
• MadagascareVisaup to 60 daysFee: 30 EUR
• MauritaniaeVisaFee: 55 EUR
• MoldovaeVisaFee: 40 EUR
• MongoliaeVisaup to 30 days
• MyanmareVisaup to 28 days

  Myanmar’s eVisa notice says passengers with an eVisa are currently only permitted to enter via Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport, Nay Pyi Taw International Airport and the Kawthaung International Land Border Checkpoint.

• New ZealandeVisaFee: 441 NZD
• NigeriaeVisaup to 30 days
• PakistaneVisaup to 90 days
• PalestineETAup to 90 daysFee: 25 ILS

  Israel's Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) says its procedure for the entry of foreigners into the Judea and Samaria Area does not apply to foreigners asking to visit the Area and Israel in parallel, and that such foreigners are handled under the procedures of the Population and Immigration Authority.

• Papua New GuineaeVisaup to 60 daysFee: 50 USD
• São Tomé and PríncipeeVisa
• Saudi ArabiaeVisaup to 90 daysFee: 395 SAR
• SeychellesETAup to 90 daysFee: 10 EUR
• Sierra LeoneeVisaup to 30 daysFee: 25 USD
• Solomon IslandseVisaup to 90 daysFee: 50 USD
• SomaliaeVisa

  Somalia's Immigration and Citizenship Agency says that under the new arrangement travellers complete their application before departure rather than on arrival.

• South KoreaETAup to 30 daysFee: 10000 KRW
• Sri LankaETAup to 30 days
• SurinameeVisaup to 90 daysFee: 60 USD
• TajikistaneVisaup to 60 daysFee: 30 USD
• TurkeyeVisa

  Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says ordinary passport holders can obtain three-month multiple-entry visas from Turkish representations abroad, or one-month single-entry visas at www.evisa.gov.tr.

• UgandaeVisaup to 90 daysFee: 50 USD

  Uganda's immigration directorate says a visa approval authorisation is valid for 90 days (three months) from the day of approval; after that it is automatically cancelled and invalidated, and the applicant needs to make a new application.

• UkraineeVisaFee: 20 USD
• United Arab EmirateseVisaFee: 200 AED

  Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism lists, for this passport: "Tourist visa - 30 or 60 days validity with single or multiple entry".

• VietnameVisaFee: 25 USD

Visa on arrival (10)

• ComorosVisa on arrivalFee: 60 EUR
• GambiaVisa on arrival

  The Gambia Immigration Department lists this country among the African countries that need both a visa and clearance.

• IndonesiaVisa on arrivalup to 30 days (+30 days)Fee: 500000 IDR
• JordanVisa on arrivalFee: 40 JOD

  The Jordan Pass site (Ministry of Tourism) answers “Which nationalities are exempted from paying the visa fees?”: South Africa, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and Vatican City.

• MaldivesVisa on arrivalup to 30 daysFee: Free
• Marshall IslandsVisa on arrivalup to 90 daysFee: Free

  The RMI Division of Immigration's list gives a visa on arrival of 90 days from the date of arrival, fee waived, and requires a passport valid 6 months or more from the date of departure from the RMI, a confirmed return or onward ticket out of the RMI and the visas needed for the return or onward travel. Extensions, change of status, employment, study and research are not permitted.

• NepalVisa on arrivalFee: 30 USD

  Nepal's Department of Immigration lists tourist visas of 15, 30 or 90 days.

• PalauVisa on arrival
• RwandaVisa on arrivalup to 30 daysFee: Free
• Timor-LesteVisa on arrivalup to 30 daysFee: 30 USD

  Timor-Leste's Migration Service says the tourist visa is valid for a single entry and a thirty-day stay, and may be extended once for the same period.

Embassy visa required (62)

• AlgeriaEmbassy visa
• AndorraEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR

  Andorra's government says that when the Schengen visa is required, third-country nationals must apply for a double-entry or a multiple-entry Schengen visa, depending on how many times they will enter the Schengen area from Andorra.

• AustriaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• BangladeshEmbassy visa
• BelarusEmbassy visaFee: 60 EUR

  For visa-free entry through Belarus's airports, the Foreign Ministry says citizens of Egypt, Gambia, Haiti, India, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Namibia, Pakistan, Samoa, South Africa and Vietnam must also have a valid multiple-entry visa of an EU member state or the Schengen zone, with a mark in the passport showing they crossed its border, and tickets confirming departure from those Belarusian airports within 30 days of entry.

• BelgiumEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• Bosnia and HerzegovinaEmbassy visaFee: 31 EUR
• BruneiEmbassy visaFee: 20 BND
• BulgariaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• Central African RepublicEmbassy visa
• ChinaEmbassy visa
• CroatiaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• CyprusEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR

  Cyprus says holders of a valid two- or multiple-entry Schengen visa, and holders of national visas and residence permits issued by Schengen states, do not need a short-stay visa to enter Cyprus for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; Turkish and Azerbaijani citizens are excluded from this provision.

• CzechiaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• DenmarkEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• Equatorial GuineaEmbassy visaFee: 200 USD
• EritreaEmbassy visa
• EstoniaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• FinlandEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• FranceEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• GermanyEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• GreeceEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• HungaryEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• IcelandEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• IranEmbassy visa
• IraqEmbassy visa
• IrelandEmbassy visa
• ItalyEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• JapanEmbassy visaFee: 15000 JPY
• KosovoEmbassy visaFee: 40 EUR

  Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says nationals of countries to which Kosovo applies a visa regime who hold a valid biometric residence permit issued by a Schengen-area state, and holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, are exempt from the need for a Kosovo visa for entry, transit and stay. Their stay in Kosovo is limited to 15 days.

• KuwaitEmbassy visa

  The Embassy of Kuwait in Japan says that nationals who cannot be granted the entry visa through the e-visa service or at the airport must apply for an entry visa through their sponsor in Kuwait before departure: they give their sponsor in Kuwait (family or relatives with residency in Kuwait, the company or organization being visited, or the hotel where they will stay) the applicant’s data (passport information, purpose of visit, period of visit and so on), and the sponsor then applies for the visa at the Ministry of Interior, Kuwait.

• LatviaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• LebanonEmbassy visaFee: 2000000 LBP

  General Security says citizens of countries it does not mention require a visa issued by one of the Lebanese embassies, or prior authorization granted by the Directorate of General Security.

• LiberiaEmbassy visaFee: 70 USD

  The Liberia Immigration Service says that if there is a Liberian embassy in your country, you are required to apply for your visa directly at the embassy and not through its Visa on Arrival portal.

• LiechtensteinEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• LithuaniaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• LuxembourgEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• MaliEmbassy visa
• MaltaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• MexicoEmbassy visaFee: 56 USD

  Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) says the following documents are an alternative to the Mexican visa: proof of permanent residence in Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, any Schengen country, or the Pacific Alliance countries (Chile, Colombia and Peru); or a valid visa from Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom or any Schengen country.

• MonacoEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR

  Monaco's government says visa applications to enter Monaco must therefore be made at the embassy of the Schengen country that will be the gateway of the stay in Europe; once the Schengen visa is obtained, Monaco can be visited without any other formality.

• MontenegroEmbassy visa
• NauruEmbassy visaup to 90 days
• NetherlandsEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• North MacedoniaEmbassy visaFee: 60 EUR

  North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry says third-country nationals with a multiple-entry Schengen (type C) visa valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended stay may stay no longer than 15 days on each entry, as long as the total stay does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

• NorwayEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• PolandEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• PortugalEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• Republic of the CongoEmbassy visaFee: 200 USD
• RomaniaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• San MarinoEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR

  San Marino's Foreign Ministry says that reaching San Marino means crossing the Schengen Area, so visitors from states outside it must hold the authorisations needed to enter and transit the Schengen Area before they leave.

• SerbiaEmbassy visa
• SlovakiaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• SloveniaEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• SpainEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• SwedenEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• SwitzerlandEmbassy visaFee: 90 EUR
• TaiwanEmbassy visa
• TurkmenistanEmbassy visaFee: 40 USD

  Turkmenistan's State Migration Service says foreign citizens and stateless persons may come to and stay in Turkmenistan on the basis of a visa, unless Turkmenistan's international treaties provide otherwise.

• United KingdomEmbassy visaFee: 135 GBP
• United StatesEmbassy visaFee: 185 USD
• UzbekistanEmbassy visaFee: 40 USD

Visa required (how to apply not stated) (5)

• CanadaVisa requiredFee: 100 CAD
• MoroccoVisa required
• SenegalVisa required
• TongaVisa required

  Tonga's Ministry of Revenue and Customs says citizens of all other countries need visas to enter Tonga, before arrival, and that a genuine visitor intending to visit Tonga for not less than 30 days must obtain an entry permit issued by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before arriving.

• YemenVisa required

  The Embassy of Yemen in Washington DC says it is not issuing any tourist visa at this time.

Frequently asked questions