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South Africa Passport Visa Requirements

Discover where South Africa passport holders can travel visa-free, with e-Visa, or where a visa is required.

Global Rank
#47
Visa-Free Destinations
73
60
Visa-Free
47
E-Visa
13
Visa on Arrival
73
Visa Required

Visa Map for South Africa Passport

Visa Free
E-Visa
Visa on Arrival
Visa Required
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All Destinations

# Country Visa Status Notes
1 Afghanistan Visa Required -
2 Albania E-Visa
Notes
Holders of a valid, multiple entry and previously used visa issued by a Schengen area country, United States, or the United Kingdom can enter Albania without a visa for 90 days.
3 Algeria Visa Required
Notes
Visa Issuance for passengers with a boarding authorization traveling as tourists to cities in the south of Algeria (Timimoun, Ghardaia, Ilizi, Djanet or Tamanraset) can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum of 30 days. They must have: a return/onward ticket, a hotel reservation confirmation.
4 Andorra Visa Required
Notes
Andorra has no visa regime, but is only accessible through France and Spain. Multiple Entry Schengen Visa required.
5 Angola Visa Free -
6 Antigua and Barbuda Visa Free -
7 Argentina Visa Free -
8 Armenia E-Visa -
9 Australia and territories Visa Required
Notes
May apply online (Online Visitor e600 visa). Transit visa is not required. Biometric Collection is mandatory upon request for the Online Visitor e600 Visa. Visas can be issued within a matter of seconds depending on the length of queue once all the appropriate information is provided including Biometrics. Departing Passengers may use SmartGate for a faster entry into the passenger area, this is not applicable to arriving passengers for entry into Australia.
10 Austria Visa Required -
11 Azerbaijan E-Visa
Notes
Holding a residence visa issued by the United Arab Emirates may obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival in Azerbaijan. They must present their valid visa or residence permit along with their passport
12 Bahamas Visa Free -
13 Bahrain E-Visa -
14 Bangladesh Visa Required -
15 Barbados Visa Free -
16 Belarus Visa Required -
17 Belgium Visa Required -
18 Belize Visa Free -
19 Benin Visa Free -
20 Bhutan E-Visa
Notes
Must pay 100 USD per person per day for Sustainable Development Fee
21 Bolivia Visa Free -
22 Bosnia and Herzegovina Visa Required
Notes
Valid multiple entry visa holders and residents of the European Union, Schengen Area member states, and United States of America can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days.
23 Botswana Visa Free -
24 Brazil Visa Free -
25 Brunei Visa Required -
26 Bulgaria Visa Required -
27 Burkina Faso E-Visa -
28 Burundi Visa on Arrival -
29 Cabo Verde Visa on Arrival
Notes
Not available at all entry points. Requirement to register online 5 days before arrival. Also pay the airport security fee of CVE 3400 either online or on arrival.
30 Cambodia E-Visa -
31 Cameroon E-Visa -
32 Canada Visa Required
Notes
Temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa are not accepted by Canadian immigration officials. Holders of the Right of Abode to the UK with a Certificate of Entitlement as proof of authenticity do not require a visa.
33 Central African Republic Visa Required -
34 Chad E-Visa -
35 Chile Visa Free -
36 China Visa Required
Notes
24-hour visa-free transit through any international airports of China, allows domestic travel through different airports. 5-day Shenzhen Visa on Arrival available at the Shenzhen border if travelling from Hong Kong or Macao. Visa holders must stay within the Shenzhen City and surrounds, not travel to other cities and leave at the end of the 5 day permission. Travelling to Guangzhou would be in violation of the conditions.
37 Colombia Visa Required
Notes
Transit visa is not required.
38 Comoros Visa on Arrival -
39 Costa Rica Visa Free -
40 Cote d'Ivoire E-Visa
Notes
e-Visa holders must arrive via Port Bouet Airport.
41 Croatia Visa Required -
42 Cuba E-Visa
Notes
Can be extended up to 90 days with a fee.
43 Cyprus Visa Required
Notes
Holders of a visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state or Monaco may also travel to Cyprus, without an additional visa, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period or until visa expiry date (whichever is shorter)
44 Czechia Visa Required -
45 Denmark Visa Required -
46 Djibouti E-Visa -
47 Dominica Visa Free -
48 Dominican Republic Visa Free -
49 DR Congo E-Visa -
50 East Timor Visa on Arrival -
51 Ecuador Visa Free -
52 Egypt E-Visa -
53 El Salvador Visa Free -
54 Equatorial Guinea E-Visa
Notes
Must arrive via Malabo International Airport, processing fee 75 USD
55 Eritrea Visa Required -
56 Estonia Visa Required -
57 Eswatini Visa Free -
58 Ethiopia E-Visa
Notes
Visa on arrival is obtainable only at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. e-Visa holders must arrive via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. e-Visa is available for 30 or 90 days.
59 Fiji Visa Free -
60 Finland Visa Required -
61 France Visa Required -
62 Gabon Visa Free -
63 Gambia Visa Free
Notes
In addition to a visa, an entry clearance must be obtained from the Gambian Immigration prior to travel.
64 Georgia Visa Free
Notes
As of 1 January 2026 all vistors are required to present proof of health and accident insurance with a minimum cover of GEL30 000.
65 Germany Visa Required -
66 Ghana Visa Free -
67 Greece Visa Required -
68 Grenada Visa Free -
69 Guatemala Visa Free -
70 Guinea E-Visa -
71 Guinea-Bissau Visa on Arrival -
72 Guyana Visa Free -
73 Haiti Visa Free -
74 Honduras Visa Free -
75 Hungary Visa Required -
76 Iceland Visa Required -
77 India E-Visa
Notes
e-Visa holders must arrive via 32 designated airports or 5 designated seaports. An Indian e-Tourist Visa may only be obtained twice within 1 calendar year. Foreigners of Pakistani origin or who hold a Pakistani Passport are not eligible for an e-Visa. Foreigners who are not Pakistani nationals, but whose parents or grandparents (either paternal or maternal) were born in, or were permanent residents in Pakistan, are also not eligible for an e-Visa.
78 Indonesia Visa on Arrival -
79 Iran E-Visa -
80 Iraq E-Visa -
81 Ireland Visa Required -
82 Israel E-Visa -
83 Italy Visa Required -
84 Jamaica Visa Free -
85 Japan E-Visa -
86 Jordan E-Visa
Notes
Visa can be obtained upon arrival, it will cost a total of 40 JOD, obtainable at most international ports of entry and land border crossings. (except King Hussein/Allenby Bridge)
87 Kazakhstan Visa Free
Notes
e-Visa can be issued only if there is a valid invitation from the Kazakhstan side.
88 Kenya Visa Free -
89 Kiribati Visa Free
Notes
90 days within any 12-month period.
90 Kuwait Visa Required
Notes
Holders of residence permit's issued by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates may apply for an eVisa if the main applicant works in a specific profession. Dependents holding residence permits may also obtain an eVisa, on the conditional they will enter Kuwait with the main applicant.
91 Kyrgyzstan E-Visa
Notes
Visa on arrival available at Manas International Airport. e-Visa holders must arrive via Manas International Airport or Osh Airport or through land crossings with China (at Irkeshtam and Torugart), Kazakhstan (at Ak-jol, Ak-Tilek, Chaldybar, Chon-Kapka), Tajikistan (at Bor-Dobo, Kulundu, Kyzyl-Bel) and Uzbekistan (at Dostuk).
92 Laos E-Visa
Notes
18 of the 33 border crossings are only open to regular visa holders. e-Visa may be used to enter Laos through the Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane international airports, 3 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, in Boten (road and railroad), and in Vientiane (at Khamsavath railway station). Visa on arrival is available at the Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane international airports, 4 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges and 7 border crossings.
93 Latvia Visa Required -
94 Lebanon Visa Required
Notes
In addition to a visa, an approval should be obtained from the Immigration department of the General Directorate of General Security (La Surete Generale).
95 Lesotho Visa Free -
96 Liberia Visa Required -
97 Libya E-Visa -
98 Liechtenstein Visa Required -
99 Lithuania Visa Required
Notes
Certain travelers who are of Lithuanian Descent (i.e. by the parent, grandparent and great-grandparent) may be issued a long-stay Category D Visa or Permanent Residence valid if the relationship can be proved.
100 Luxembourg Visa Required -
101 Madagascar E-Visa
Notes
For stays of 61 to 90 days, the visa fee is 59 USD.
102 Malawi Visa Free -
103 Malaysia Visa Free -
104 Maldives Visa on Arrival -
105 Mali Visa Required -
106 Malta Visa Required -
107 Marshall Islands Visa on Arrival -
108 Mauritania E-Visa -
109 Mauritius Visa Free
Notes
180 days for tourism, 120 days for business.
110 Mexico Visa Required
Notes
Travellers who wish to visit Mexico (regardless of their nationality or itinerary), holding either a valid, multiple entry visa OR who are permanent residents of the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom or the EU Schengen Space countries, DO NOT require a Mexican tourist visa. Dependent upon the immigration officer, the maximum period of stay authorised is 180 days at a time. Passport holders with less than six months validity may face difficulty when attempting to enter as a Business Visitor/ Tourist as they are usually permitted six months stay which might exceed the passport's validity.
111 Micronesia Visa Free -
112 Moldova Visa Required
Notes
South African nationals are allowed to visit Moldova without a Moldovan visa if they hold a valid residence permit or a valid multiple entry visa issued by a "Member State of the European Union or one of the States Parties to the Schengen Agreement, by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America Canada".
113 Monaco Visa Required
Notes
Schengen Visa Required. Monaco is a de facto member of the Schengen Area and there are no formal immigration procedures upon exit and entry.
114 Mongolia E-Visa -
115 Montenegro Visa Required
Notes
Nationals of South Africa may visit Montenegro without a visa for up to 30 days if they hold a passport with visas issued by Ireland, a Schengen Area member state, the United Kingdom or the United States or if they are permanent residents of those countries. Residents of the United Arab Emirates do not require a visa for up to 10 days, if they hold a return ticket, fly directly in and out of Tivat Airport on FlyDubai and hold proof of accommodation.
116 Morocco Visa Required
Notes
May apply for an e-Visa if holding a valid visa or a residency document issued by one of the following countries: Schengen Area, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States a residency document issued by Cyprus, Japan, United Arab Emirates.
117 Mozambique Visa Free -
118 Myanmar E-Visa
Notes
e-Visa holders must arrive via Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw or Mandalay airports or via land border crossings with Thailand — Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung or India — Rih Khaw Dar and Tamu. e-Visa available for both tourism or business purposes.
119 Namibia Visa Free -
120 Nauru Visa Required -
121 Nepal Visa on Arrival -
122 Netherlands Visa Required -
123 New Zealand Visa Required
Notes
Holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.
124 Nicaragua Visa Free -
125 Niger Visa Required -
126 Nigeria E-Visa -
127 North Korea Visa Required -
128 North Macedonia Visa Required
Notes
Holders of a valid multiple entry visa or Residence Permit for the Schengen Area may enter North Macedonia for up to 15 days visa free. A temporary residence permit of a Schengen member state is accepted since 27 February 2019. Holders of a valid UK, Canada or USA visa may enter North Macedonia for up to 15 days visa free.
129 Norway Visa Required -
130 Oman Visa Free -
131 Pakistan E-Visa -
132 Palau Visa on Arrival -
133 Panama Visa Free -
134 Papua New Guinea E-Visa -
135 Paraguay Visa Free -
136 Peru Visa Free -
137 Philippines Visa Free -
138 Poland Visa Required -
139 Portugal Visa Required -
140 Qatar Visa Free
Notes
Available at Hamad International Airport. The Visa Waiver Facility (of 30 days) cannot be facilitated if stay is less than 1 night, a Transit Visa should be applied for instead. Label is put in the passport in addition to a stamp upon arrival after satisfying the entry requirements. e-Visa, Transit Visa from Qatar Airways (9–96 hours) and ETA are also available. eVisa refers to a Tourist Visa. These three methods are all acceptable alternatives for tourism should the South African passport holder wish not to use the Visa Waiver Facility available upon arrival. Male travelers who are ordinarily a resident in Qatar require an Exit Visa/ Permit.
141 Republic of the Congo Visa Required -
142 Romania Visa Required -
143 Russia Visa Free
Notes
90 days within one calendar 1 year-period.
144 Rwanda Visa Free -
145 Saint Kitts and Nevis Visa Required -
146 Saint Lucia Visa Free -
147 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Visa Free -
148 Samoa Visa on Arrival -
149 San Marino Visa Required
Notes
San Marino has no visa regime, but is only accessible through Italy. Multiple Entry Schengen Visa required.
150 Sao Tome and Principe E-Visa -
151 Saudi Arabia E-Visa -
152 Senegal Visa on Arrival -
153 Serbia Visa Required
Notes
Visa-free for a maximum stay of 90 days for valid visa holders or residents of the European Union member states and the United States.
154 Seychelles Visa Required
Notes
Application can be submitted up to 30 days before travel. Visitors must upload a reservation confirmation(s) for each visitor's location of stay in Seychelles. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries. Payment of the fee (EUR 10) by credit or debit card. Valid for one journey only and it expires once exit the country.
155 Sierra Leone E-Visa -
156 Singapore Visa Free -
157 Slovakia Visa Required -
158 Slovenia Visa Required -
159 Solomon Islands Visa Required -
160 Somalia E-Visa
Notes
Available at Bosaso Airport, Galcaio Airport and Mogadishu Airport.
161 South Korea E-Visa
Notes
The validity period of a K-ETA is 3 years from the date of approval.
162 South Sudan E-Visa
Notes
Obtainable online. Printed visa authorization must be presented at the time of travel.
163 Spain Visa Required -
164 Sri Lanka E-Visa -
165 Sudan Visa Required -
166 Suriname E-Visa -
167 Sweden Visa Required -
168 Switzerland Visa Required -
169 Syria E-Visa -
170 Tajikistan E-Visa
Notes
e-Visa holders can enter through all border points.
171 Tanzania Visa Free -
172 Thailand Visa Free
Notes
Extendable by 30 days at any Immigration Office within Thailand.
173 Togo Visa Free
Notes
Information from the Togo Embassy in the United Kingdom that is not found in the IATA database which states that visa is obtainable on arrival.
174 Tonga Visa Required -
175 Trinidad and Tobago Visa Free -
176 Tunisia Visa Free -
177 Turkey E-Visa -
178 Turkmenistan Visa Required -
179 Tuvalu Visa on Arrival -
180 Uganda E-Visa -
181 Ukraine E-Visa -
182 United Arab Emirates Visa Required
Notes
May apply using 'Smart service'. Visa not required in advance if in possession of the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom with a Certificate of Entitlement in Commonwealth passport, may enter the Emirate of Dubai in the same way as a British Citizen.
183 United Kingdom and Crown dependencies Visa Required
Notes
Right of Abode holders with a Certificate of Entitlement in their Commonwealth passport may enter the United Kingdom and remain indefinitely. Temporary Visa holders can only enter for 3 months if entering from the Republic of Ireland (Eire). The Crown dependencies include the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey as well as the Isle of Man. The same Visa Policy applies mainly to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, therefore a United Kingdom Visa can be used. Transit Visa Required unless in possession of an exemption document; Australian, New Zealand and all other Visas with confirmation slips/ electronically granted Visas with a paper print-out as confirmation are not permitted as an exemption document unless endorsed by the airline. Note: Schengen Visa type "C" is not an approved exemption document. Entry must be refused or denied boarding on vessel. Direct Airside or Transit Visa required depending on type of transit. Entering the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) by land, sea or air from the Republic of Ireland is not permitted unless in possession of a valid U.K. Visa or Immigration Document. UK Land or Transit Visa cannot be used to transit the UK from Ireland or from Ireland to the UK, a Standard Visa is required.
184 United States Visa Required
Notes
Holders of a B1 / B2 (B) Visa, Permanent Resident Card, D Visa who have entered the United States at least once since 2008 may use the Automated Passport Control (APC) Kiosk for faster processing at selected airports, before proceeding to a US Customs and Border Protection officer for finalization of entry into the United States. Available locations include some United States border preclearance facilities as well.
185 Uruguay Visa Free -
186 Uzbekistan Visa Required
Notes
5-day visa-free transit at the international airports if holding a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country.
187 Vanuatu Visa Free -
188 Vatican City Visa Required
Notes
Schengen Visa Required. Entry can be made from Italy exclusively. Vatican City is a de facto member of the Schengen Area and there are no formal immigration procedures upon entry and exit.
189 Venezuela Visa Free -
190 Vietnam E-Visa
Notes
e-Visa is valid for 90 days and multiple entry. 30 days visa free when visit Phu Quoc Island.
191 Yemen Visa Required
Notes
Yemen introduced an e-Visa system for visitors who meet certain eligibility requirements (group travel of 10 or more people, business trips, and transit etc.).
192 Zambia Visa Free -
193 Zimbabwe Visa Free -

Destinations by Region

Asia 46 countries
Europe 44 countries
Africa 51 countries
Americas 33 countries
Oceania 13 countries

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries can South Africa passport holders visit visa-free?
South Africa passport holders can visit 73 countries and territories without obtaining a visa in advance. This includes visa-free access, visa on arrival, and e-Visa destinations.
What is the global ranking of the South Africa passport?
The South Africa passport is ranked #47 in the world based on the number of destinations accessible without a traditional visa.
Do South Africa citizens need a visa for Europe?
Visa requirements for South Africa citizens visiting European countries vary. Check the destination table above for specific requirements for each European country.
How can South Africa citizens apply for a visa?
The visa application process varies by destination. Generally, you'll need to apply through the destination country's embassy or consulate, or through their online e-Visa portal if available.