The visa policy of South Africa is how the
South African government determines who may and may not enter South Africa.
Visitors to South Africa must obtain a
visa from one of the
South African diplomatic missions unless they come 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 biometric data.[1]
All visitors must hold a passport that is valid for 1 month after departure and with one blank page (two if a visa is required).[2]
The South African Government launched an e-Visa system, initially for 14 nationalities in February 2022.[3][4]
Visa policy map
Visa exemption
Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa:[5][6]
90 days
Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national
passports are allowed to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa:
[7]
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.
30 days
Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national
passports are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 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.
New Zealand: 16 January 2017[16] (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) [17]
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):
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.
Temporary residence visas issued by South Africa are:[21]
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
Overstay consequences
It is a departure of a foreigner from South Africa on an expired visa that triggers an overstay.[22]
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.[23]
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 do not qualify for a port of entry visa, visa, admission into the Republic or a permanent residence permit.
Visitor statistics
Most visitors arriving to South Africa were from the following countries of nationality:[24][25]
1British Overseas Territories.
2 These countries span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia.
3 Partially recognized.
4Unincorporated territory of the United States.
5 Part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
6Egypt spans the boundary between Africa and Asia.