Visa-Free Countries
South African passport holders can enter the following 62 countries without obtaining any visa. Entry is granted through simple passport inspection at border control, with permitted stay durations ranging from 14 to 180 days depending on the destination.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lesotho
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Suriname
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Visa on Arrival Countries
South African passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival at the following 35 destinations. This requires payment of a visa fee and submission of documents at the port of entry before immigration clearance.
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Iran
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Oman
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Qatar
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Zimbabwe
eTA Required Countries
The following 6 destinations require South African passport holders to obtain an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before travel. ETAs are applied for online and typically approved within 72 hours.
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Sri Lanka
- United Kingdom
- United States
Countries Requiring a Visa in Advance
South African passport holders require traditional embassy visas for most European Schengen countries, the United States, Canada, UK, China, and approximately 130 other destinations.
For detailed visa requirements for specific destinations, use our Trip Visa Finder to check entry requirements for your complete travel itinerary.
Regional Breakdown
South African passport holders have varying levels of access across different world regions. Here's how the 106 visa-free destinations break down geographically:
Europe
6Limited access to European destinations. Most Schengen countries require advance visa applications.
Asia
28Moderate access to Asian countries with many destinations offering visa on arrival or eVisa options.
Americas
26Good access to North, Central, and South American destinations including major economies.
Africa
30Solid access to African destinations with many countries offering visa on arrival options.
Middle East
8Limited access to Middle Eastern destinations with many requiring advance visas.
Oceania
8Access to Pacific island nations with Australia and New Zealand typically requiring eTA or eVisitor arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check Entry Requirements by Destination
While this page lists visa-free access for South African passport holders, each destination has additional entry requirements beyond visa status. Check destination-specific entry requirements including passport validity, proof of funds, onward tickets, and health insurance.
🇹🇭 Thailand Entry Requirements
Visa policies and entry conditions for Thailand
🇯🇵 Japan Entry Requirements
Visa policies and entry conditions for Japan
🇺🇸 United States Entry Requirements
Visa policies and entry conditions for United States
🇫🇷 France Entry Requirements
Visa policies and entry conditions for France
🇨🇳 China Entry Requirements
Visa policies and entry conditions for China
Sources and Methodology
This visa information is compiled from official government immigration websites, embassy announcements, and verified traveler reports. We continuously monitor changes to visa policies and update our data to reflect current entry requirements.
Learn more about our research methodology and data verification process.
Last Updated: March 15, 2026
Note: Visa policies can change without notice. Always verify current entry requirements with official government sources or embassies before booking international travel.
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