Visa requirements for South African citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Republic of South Africa.

As of 2026, South African citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 100 countries and territories, ranking the South African passport 46th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.

Where visa-free access is permitted, such access is not necessarily a right, and admission is at the discretion of border enforcement officers. Visitors engaging in activities other than tourism, including unpaid work, may require a visa or work permit.

It does not provide for where certain people under the assumption remained British Subjects without Citizenship, then later became British Overseas Citizens or British Subjects in 1983, there are different requirements. See Visa requirements for British Overseas citizens or South African nationality law.

Visa requirements map

Visa requirements This list provides for the period of stay under "Allowed Stay" generally for short stay activities where a Visa is not required in sovereign states.

Country Visa requirement Allowed stay Notes (excluding departure fees) Reciprocity 30 days e-Visa : Visitors must arrive at Kabul International (KBL). 90 days 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. Andorra has no visa regime, but is only accessible through France and Spain. Multiple Entry Schengen Visa required. 90 days 6 months 90 days 120 days and territories 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. 30 days 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 3 months 14 days 6 months 90 days 90 days 90 days 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. 90 days 90 days 1 month 30 days 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. 30 days Not available at all entry points.Obtainable at Nelson Mandela International Airport, Cesária Évora Airport, Amílcar Cabral International Airport and Aristides Pereira International Airport. Requirement to register online 5 days before arrival. Also pay the airport security fee of CVE 3400 either online or on arrival. 90 days 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. Transit visa is not required. 45 days 7 days 90 days 3 months e-Visa holders must arrive via Port Bouet Airport. eVisa Cuba 90 days Can be extended up to 90 days with a fee. 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) 90 days 6 months 90 days 90 days 30 days Visa fee is 30 USD. 90 days Must arrive via Malabo International Airport, processing fee 75 USD 30 days 90 days 4 months 30 days. 90 days In addition to a visa, an entry clearance must be obtained from the Gambian Immigration prior to travel.Exemtpion applies if traveling as tourists on a charter flight. 1 year As of 1 January 2026 all visitors are required to present proof of health and accident insurance with a minimum cover of GEL30 000.Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia: Georgian Visa Information https://geoconsul.gov.ge/en/entering-georgia (Consulted on 16 jan 2026) 90 days 3 months 90 days 90 days 90 days 3 months 3 months 90 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 90 days 90 days 30 days 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) e-Visa can be issued only if there is a valid invitation from the Kazakhstan side. 90 days 90 days 90 days within any 12-month period. 30 days The validity period of a K-ETA is 3 years from the date of approval. 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. 60 days / 30 days 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). 30 days In addition to a visa, an approval should be obtained from the Immigration department of the General Directorate of General Security (La Surete Generale). 90 days 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. 90 days For stays of 61 to 90 days, the visa fee is 59 USD. 90 days 90 days 30 days 90 days 30 days 180 days 180 days for tourism, 120 days for business. 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.Embassy of Mexico in South Africa 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. 30 days 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 [or] Canada".Government of the Republic of Moldova: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Consular Affairs, Visa regime for foreigners (See Exception 2) https://mfa.gov.md/en/content/visa-regime-foreigners (Consulted on 26 Feb 2026) Schengen Visa Required. Monaco is a de facto member of the Schengen Area and there are no formal immigration procedures upon exit and entry. 30 days 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. 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. 3 months 28 days 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. 3 months 90 days 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. 90 days 30 days 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 and physical UK, Canada or USA visa (inserted into the passport) may enter North Macedonia for up to 15 days visa free. Electronic versions of multiple entry UK visas are not yet accepted as of March 2026. 14 days / 30 days 3 months 30 days 90 days 30 days 90 days 90 days 30 days 30 days 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. 90 days 90 days within one calendar 1 year-period. 30 days 3 months 6 weeks 3 months 90 days San Marino has no visa regime, but is only accessible through Italy. Multiple Entry Schengen Visa required. 90 days 1 month 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period. Transfers allowed. 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. 3 months 3 months / 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 60 days / 45 days e-Visa holders can enter through all border points. 90 days 60 days Extendable by 30 days at any Immigration Office within Thailand. 30 days 15 days 90 days 3 months 30 days 1 month 3 months 30 days 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. and Crown dependencies 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.