Visa policy of South Africa
Policy on permits required to enter South Africa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Visitors to South Africa must obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions unless they are citizens from one of the visa-exempt countries, in which case they get a "Port of Entry Visa". Visitors who require a visa must apply in person and provide a biometric data.[1]
All visitors must hold a passport that is valid for at least 1 month after departure and with one blank page (two if a visa is required).[2]
In February 2022, the South African Government launched an e-Visa system, initially for 14 nationalities.[3][4]
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.[5][6] 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.[7][8]
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:[9][10]
|
90 days
30 days |
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 |
|---|
Cancelled:
|
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
South Africa ETA / Port of Entry Visa (in Apple Wallet)
South Africa ETA / Port of Entry Visa (in Google Wallet)
South Africa ETA / Port of Entry Visa (PDF)
Starting in late November 2025, business and tourist visitors from the following countries may apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA is valid only for entry through the designated ports of entry: O. R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, or Lanseria International Airport.
The ETA is usually granted instantly or within 72 hours. Passport holders from eligible countries may stay for up to 90 days per year, with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional 90 days:[22]
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):
1 - 120 days
2 - 30 days
Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
Citizens of the following countries and territories may apply for an e-Visa, provided that they will land at O. R. Tambo International Airport: [23]
|
|
1 - ETA is also available.
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:[24]
- 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:[25]
- 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 [26] 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.[27]
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.[28]
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:[29][30]
| Country | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Zimbabwe | 2,258,794 | 2,208,930 | 2,039,932 | 2,028,881 | 1,900,791 | 2,143,716 |
 Lesotho | 1,563,448 | 1,739,188 | 1,747,211 | 1,757,058 | 1,394,913 | 1,501,642 |
 Mozambique | 1,333,195 | 1,360,896 | 1,339,245 | 1,268,258 | 1,200,335 | 1,283,016 |
 Eswatini | 917,631 | 883,735 | 876,992 | 893,618 | 835,006 | 918,490 |
 Botswana | 668,315 | 688,566 | 681,379 | 679,828 | 593,514 | 555,590 |
 United Kingdom | 436,559 | 430,708 | 447,901 | 447,840 | 407,486 | 401,914 |
 United States | 373,694 | 376,892 | 370,747 | 345,013 | 297,226 | 309,255 |
 Germany | 322,720 | 343,229 | 349,211 | 311,832 | 256,646 | 274,571 |
 Malawi | 199,079 | 197,317 | 175,014 | 154,017 | 135,260 | 166,964 |
 Namibia | 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 |
