South Africa · Entry rules

Who needs a visa for South Africa?

Entry rules for South Africa by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, checked 6 Nov 2026.

In brief

Citizens of 93 countries and territories can visit South Africa without a visa, most for up to 90 days. 4 can apply for an eVisa or ETA online. Everyone else, 101 nationalities, needs a visa.

Visa-free: 93
On arrival: 0
eVisa or ETA: 4
Visa required: 101

About 5.7 bn people (71% of the world's other nationalities by population) need a visa arranged before they travel to South Africa: a visa, an eVisa or a visa only with another permit.

Checked 6 Nov 2026Source: Department of Home Affairs, South AfricaReport a change

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Most commonIndia United States Hong Kong Pakistan Vietnam Saudi Arabia All passports

South Africa entry rules at a glance

Group	Stay	Nationalities	Examples	Source
Visa-free	90 days	62	United States, Brazil, Russia, Japan	Department of Home Affairs, South Africa
Visa-free	90 days per calendar year	7	Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Madagascar	Department of Home Affairs, South Africa
Visa-free	30 days	23	Türkiye, Thailand, South Korea, Poland	Department of Home Affairs, South Africa
Visa-free	30 days per visit, 90 days per calendar year	1	Angola	Department of Home Affairs, South Africa
eVisa	Not stated	4	India, China, Indonesia, Mexico	Minister of Tourism, South African Government
Visa required	As granted	101	Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia	Department of Home Affairs, South Africa

Visa-free for 90 days: the US, Brazil, Russia and 59 more

62 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, checked 6 Nov 2026The attached Schedule outlines national passport holders from countries who are exempt from port of entry visa requirements, the category of passport holders who are exempt from port of entry visa requirements and the period for which such visa exemption applies.

Visa-free for 90 days per calendar year: Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana and 4 more

7 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days per calendar year.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, checked 6 Nov 2026P/A indicates per anum or per calendar year

Visa-free for 30 days: Türkiye, Thailand, South Korea and 20 more

23 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 30 days.

Visa-free for 30 days per visit, 90 days per calendar year: Angola

1 nationality

No visa is needed for stays of up to 30 days per visit, 90 days per calendar year.

Angola

Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, checked 6 Nov 2026Each visit not to exceed 30 days

eVisa: India, China, Indonesia and 1 more

4 nationalities

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at eta.dha.gov.za, a visa issued online, for arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka or Lanseria airports; otherwise a visa from a South African mission before travel.

Source: Minister of Tourism, South African Government (gov.za), checked 6 Nov 2026I’m happy to report that the Electronic Travel Authorisation system is now live in China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. Today, travellers from these source markets can receive visa outcomes digitally within 24 hours from the comfort of their homes and cellphones.

Visa required: Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and 98 more

101 nationalities

Apply before you travel at an embassy or consulate of South Africa, or the visa centre it names.

Nationalities not listed above: the official source says so in as many words.

Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, checked 6 Nov 2026All foreign citizens wishing to travel to South Africa will need a visa, except citizens from countries who are exempt.

Where to apply

Apply for the eVisa only on the official site, eta.dha.gov.za. Look-alike sites charge extra for the same form. A visa is applied for at an embassy or consulate of South Africa, or the visa centre it names, in the country where you live.

These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules. Our guides: South Africa ETA: who can apply, the fee and the official website.

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FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?

It depends on your passport: 93 nationalities are visa-free, 4 can use an eVisa or ETA and 101 need a visa. Choose your passport above.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for South Africa?

Yes, but online: Indian citizens apply for an eVisa before they travel; Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at eta.dha.gov.za, a visa issued online, for arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka or Lanseria airports; otherwise a visa from a South African mission before travel (Minister of Tourism, South African Government (gov.za), checked 6 Nov 2026).

Do US citizens need a visa for South Africa?

No, not for a short stay. US citizens can visit South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days (Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, checked 6 Nov 2026).

Can I apply for a South Africa visa online?

Yes, if you are eligible: 4 nationalities can apply online for an eVisa or ETA. Apply only at eta.dha.gov.za.

Sources and changes

DHA: countries exempt from South African visasdha.gov.za · checked 6 Nov 2026
Minister of Tourism, South African Government (gov.za)gov.za · checked 6 Nov 2026
Department of Home Affairs, South Africaehome.dha.gov.za · checked 6 Nov 2026
South African ETA (official)eta.dha.gov.za · checked 6 Nov 2026
South African eVisa portal (official)ehome.dha.gov.za · checked 6 Nov 2026

6 Nov 2026Morocco: Indians and nine other nationalities can get the e-Visa with a passport alone; South Africa's ETA, Georgia's one-year e-Visa and Thailand's exemption for Indians updated
1 Nov 2026South Africa: Indians can get their visa online, through the ETA
6 Nov 2026All groups checked against Department of Home Affairs, South Africa.

Something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.