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​VISA Requirements for entering South Africa

(visit http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/applying-for-sa-visa for information on how to apply)

1. Do you need a VISA?

Citizens of most European countries and the US do not require a VISA to enter South Africa. Citizens who are holders of a national passport (diplomatic, official or ordinary) of the following countries / territories / international organisations are not required to hold a visa:

  • African Union Laissez Passer
  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Australia 
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Botswana 
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Chile (only ordinary passport holders)
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Ecuador 
  • Finland 
  • France
  • Germany (except in diplomatic staff due to assume duty at the Embassy and Consulates of Germany in SA)
  • Greece 
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy 
  • Jamaica 
  • Japan 
  • Liechtenstein
  • Luxemburg
  • Malta             
  • Monaco
  • Namibia (90 days per annum)(only ordinary passport holders)
  • NetherlandsNew ZealandNorway  Panama   ParaguayPortugal       
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • St Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland 
  • Tanzania (90 days per year)
  • Trinidad & Tobago (only ordinary passport holders)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (only ordinary passport holders)
  • British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man. British Oversees Territories namely: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island, Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha), Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the Turks and Caicos Island
  • United States of America (except in diplomatic staff due to assume duty at the Embassy and Consulates of the USA in SA)
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela 
  • Zambia (90 days per annum)
  • Zimbabwe

2. Documents required for entering South Africa:

  • A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay
  • At least one blank page in your passport for endorsements
  • A valid visa, if required (see section 1 above)
  • Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay
  • A return or onward ticket
  • Yellow fever certificates if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa (see http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/homeaffairs/yellowfever.htm)

3. Applying for a VISA:

If your country of citizenship is not listed in section 1 above, please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs (http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/applying-for-sa-visa), or contact the South African embassy in your country in order to apply for a visa. 

It is recommended to start retrieving all necessary documents at least 3 months before making your trip to South Africa.

Documents required to apply for a visa

  • A passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your intended visit
  • Your passport must have at least TWO unused pages for entry / departure endorsements
  • A completed Form BI-84 (application for a visa)
  • Payment of the prescribed fee
  • A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (if required)
  • Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit
  • Two colour passport photographs
  • A return or onward ticket if you are travelling by air
  • If you have children (minors) travelling with you or joining in South Africa, you will need to provide the following additional documents
    • Proof of guardianship or custody or
    • Consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor
  • Proof of financial means to pay for your living expenses while in South Africa in the form of:
    • Bank statements
    • Salary advances
    • Undertakings by the host(s) in South Africa
    • Bursary
    • Medical cover or
    • Cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques)