VISAS
Summary
Holders of full British/Irish/Scandinavian or Finnish passports do not currently require visas for a holiday visit. But this situation could change and it is therefore advisable to check with the South African Embassy, or High Commission, before departure – see Embassies/High Commission. Passports must be valid for six months after the intended date of return from South Africa. All Visitors must have a return ticket.
If in any doubt as to whether you need a visa or not, please contact the local South African Office Abroad. You will find a complete list here SA Offices abroad
WHO NEEDS A VISA?
No visa requirements
If you fall under any of the following categories, then you do NOT need a visa to travel to SA for tourist, business or transit purposes (unless you have been specifically advised that your visa exemption has been withdrawn):
Holders of South African passports (or official travel documents issued in place of a passport) do NOT require visas.
Holders of passports of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands – as well as the Republic of Ireland, are totally exempt from South African visa control. HOWEVER: Nationals of the British Dependent Territories are subject to visa control. These Territories are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Cucie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Holders of passports of the following countries may visit South Africa for holidays or business of unspecified length – or for transits – without a visa (unless specifically advised that their visa exemptions have been withdrawn):
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Iceland
- Italy
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United States of America
No visa requirements for up to 90 days
Holders of passports of the following countries may visit South Africa for holiday or business trips of up to 90 days – or for transits – without a visa (unless specifically advised that their visa exemptions have been withdrawn):
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Ecuador
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Malta
- Paraguay
- St Helena
- Swaziland
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
No visa requirements for up to 30 days
Holders of passports of the following countries may visit South Africa for holiday or business trips of up to 30 days – or for transits – without a visa (unless specifically advised that their visa exemptions have been withdrawn):
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Belize
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Cape Verde
- Costa Rica
- Cyprus
- Gabon
- Guyana
- Hong Kong (Only holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports, or Hong Kong Certificates of Indemnity)
- Hungary
- Jordan
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Namibia
- Peru
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Turkey (Turkish Republic of North Cyprus passport not acceptable)
- Zambia
Visas required
You will require a visa to travel to South Africa if:
- You do not fall into one of the above categories; or
- You intend to stay in South Africa for longer than the relevant exemption period; or
- You intend to work or study in South Africa; or
- You intend to take part in a sports event; or
- You intend to take up permanent residence in South Africa.
You will also require a visa – regardless of your nationality or the duration of your stay – if the purpose of your visit is related to the pursuance of your career – for example, clergy who wish to address church meetings, representatives of the media who wish to report, or academics who wish to present lectures or conduct research. Categories affected by this regulation include:
- Concert performers
- Stage artists
- Musicians
- Religious workers
- Journalists or persons connected with the news media on extended stay
- Photographers
- Sports persons with contracts
- Models
Source: South Africa.Info – the official gateway
Useful External Links
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)