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.
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).
In February 2022, the South African Government launched an e-Visa system, initially for 14 nationalities.
In September 2025, the Department of Home Affairs showcased ZA’s new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, including illustrations of the platform. The ETA system is designed to simplify entry procedures into the republic, and is went live in mid-October 2025, for G20 summit participants.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.
Visa policy map
Visa exemption
Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa:
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: Starting late November 2025, business and tourist visitors from Mainland China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, may apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA is only valid for seeking admission from specified port of entry (OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, or Lanseria International Airport).
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1 - Cypriot and Polish citizens can enter for a period of 30 days instead.
2 - Visa exemption applies to holders of ordinary passports only.
3 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders.
4 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for all passport holders.
5 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for passport holders of these countries with another 90 days extendable.
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:
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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.
| Date of visa changes |
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| Visa free:
Cancelled:
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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):
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1 - 120 days
2 - 30 days
Visa exemption agreement was signed with Mali but not yet ratified.
Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
Citizens of the following countries/territories who hold valid national passports may apply for e-Visa online provided they will land at O. R. Tambo International Airport:
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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)
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:
- 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:
- 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 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.
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.
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:
| Country | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
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| 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 |
See also
- Tourism in South Africa
- Visa requirements for South African citizens
- List of ports of entry in South Africa
- List of diplomatic missions of South Africa
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