Visitors to South Africa must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) unless they are citizens from one of the visa-exempt countries.

All visitors must hold a passport that is valid for at least 1 month from the date of arrival.

In September 2025, the Department of Home Affairs launched a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. The ETA system is designed to simplify entry procedures into the country, and first went live in mid-October 2025, for the G20 summit participants. In late November, the second phase extended the requirement to obtain an ETA to all passport holders from these countries entering South Africa for business or tourism only for these specified countries: Mainland China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. As of September 2026, the ETA is available for all visa-required countries.

Visa policy map

Visa exemption Ordinary passports Citizens of the following countries and territories may enter South Africa without a visa for the following period:

90 days European Union member states (except Cyprus and Poland) 2

2

22

2 1

1

11 2

3 1

1 1

3

30 days 11

1 - Visa exemption applies to holders of ordinary passports only. 2 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders. 3 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for all passport holders.

Date of visa changes 26 December 1996: Brazil 29 April 2005: Mozambique 30 March 2017: Russia 1 December 2017: Angola 15 August 2019: New Zealand (resumed), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates 1 January 2023: Kenya 24 September 2023: Palestine 1 November 2023: Ghana 11 September 2025: Romania, Croatia 15 September 2025: Estonia, Latvia 16 October 2025: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Slovakia

Cancelled: Taiwan: 1 July 2005 Slovakia: 18 April 2016 (was resumed in 2025) New Zealand: 16 January 2017 (was resumed in 2019) France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America: 25 March 2020 (since restored) Palestine: 7 December 2025

Non-ordinary passports Citizens who are holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of the following countries do not require visas for visits of the indicated period and transit for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):

2

22 2 2

2

2

21

2

1 - 120 days 2 - 30 days

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

As of September 2026, citizens of all countries and territories have the option to obtain an ETA. The ETA is valid only for entry through the designated ports of entry: O. R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Lanseria International Airport or King Shaka International Airport.

The ETA is usually granted within 24 hours. The ETA is valid for up to 6 months, allows multiple entries, and each stay is limited to 90 days.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

Citizens of the following countries have the option to obtain an e-Visa:

1

11 1

1 1

11 1

1

1 - Already visa-exempt.

Eligible international organizations Individuals holding the following travel documents are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of 90 days or less on bona fide official business: African Union laissez-passer Southern African Development Community (SADC) laissez-passer: Staff members of SADC who travel on SADC laissez-passer are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide official business visits of 90 days or less and transit. United Nations laissez-passer Interpol Passport

Visa types Visas issued by South Africa are for Source: Tourism or visits to family or friends Medical treatment Working in the entertainment industry Attending a conference Treaty conditions compliance Maritime crew Cultural, economic and social exchange programmes Transit

Temporary residence visas issued by South Africa are Source: Business visas Work visas Quota work visas General work visas Critical skills work visa Intra-company Transfer Work visa Corporate visas Study visas Exchange visas Retired persons' visa Relatives' visa Medical Treatment visa

The critical skills list Critical Skills List outlines high-demand occupations that qualify foreign professionals for a Critical Skills Visa, helping to address skill shortages in key industries.

Overstay consequences It is a departure of a foreigner from South Africa on an expired visa that triggers an overstay.

A foreigner who remains in South Africa beyond the expiry of his/her visa and has not applied for a valid status is an illegal foreigner in terms of the South African Immigration Act.

An overstayer will upon departure be declared an undesirable person in terms of section 30(1)(f) of the Immigration Act. A foreigner who has overstayed less than 30 days the validity of his/her visa will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 1 year. A foreigner who has overstayed more than 30 days the validity of his/her visa will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 5 years. A foreigner who overstayed twice in a period of 24 months (repeat offenders) will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 2 years.

The ban does not simply expire over time and the restrictions placed against the foreigner need to be removed and/or the undesirability uplifted. An undesirable person does not qualify for a port of entry visa, visa, admission into the Republic or a permanent residence permit.

Visitor statistics Most visitors arriving in South Africa were from the following countries of nationality:

Country 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2,258,794 2,208,930 2,039,932 2,028,881 1,900,791 2,143,716 1,563,448 1,739,188 1,747,211 1,757,058 1,394,913 1,501,642 1,333,195 1,360,896 1,339,245 1,268,258 1,200,335 1,283,016 917,631 883,735 876,992 893,618 835,006 918,490 668,315 688,566 681,379 679,828 593,514 555,590 436,559 430,708 447,901 447,840 407,486 401,914 373,694 376,892 370,747 345,013 297,226 309,255 322,720 343,229 349,211 311,832 256,646 274,571 199,079 197,317 175,014 154,017 135,260 166,964 184,431 200,367 208,747 214,664 212,514 211,453 Total 10,228,593 10,472,105 10,285,197 10,044,163 8,903,773 9,549,236

See also

Tourism in South Africa Visa requirements for South African citizens List of ports of entry in South Africa List of diplomatic missions of South Africa

References