242 destinations shown · Natural Earth boundaries · small states appear as dots. Boundaries are illustrative and do not imply a position on any territorial dispute.

Visa requirements for South Africa

Who can enter South Africa, by nationality. Tourism. Data as of October 19, 2026.

Passport holders from 133 countries can enter South Africa without a visa in advance. 129 have full visa-free access; 4 more can get a visa on arrival or use an electronic travel authorisation. Everyone else needs a visa, or an e-visa where one is offered, before travelling.

129 visa-free
0 on arrival
4 eTA
0 e-visa
109 visa required

242 nationalities

Visa-free entry

129 nationalities

Electronic travel authorisation

4 nationalities

Visa required in advance

109 nationalities

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Africa

South Africa has 12 sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Cape Floristic Kingdom
Cradle of Humankind
Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites
Khomani Cultural Landscape
Makhonjwa Mountains
Maloti-Drakensberg Park
Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
Richtersveld
Robben Island
The Emergence of Modern Humans: The Pleistocene occupation sites of South Africa
Vredefort crater
iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Source: Wikidata, community-maintained and not the official UNESCO count.

Nearby destinations

Botswana Eswatini Lesotho Mozambique Zimbabwe Zambia

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?

It depends on your passport. 133 nationalities can enter South Africa without arranging a visa in advance (visa-free, on arrival, or eTA); everyone else needs a visa or e-visa. Use the tables below to check a specific passport.

What is the best time to visit South Africa?

January, March, September, based on Pretoria's climate normals: mild temperatures and below-average rainfall for the year.

What currency is used in South Africa?

South African rand (ZAR). 1 USD is approximately 16.43 ZAR.

What side of the road does South Africa drive on?

South Africa drives on the left.

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does South Africa have?

12: Cape Floristic Kingdom, Cradle of Humankind, Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, Khomani Cultural Landscape, Makhonjwa Mountains, Maloti-Drakensberg Park, Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Richtersveld, and more.

What is the emergency number in South Africa?

112.

What time zone is South Africa in?

Johannesburg (UTC+2).

What is the nearest airport to Pretoria?

Lanseria International Airport (HLA), about 34 km away.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About South Africa

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. The country consists of nine provinces, and is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini. South Africa also encloses Lesotho. Covering an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres, the country has a population of over 63 million people, making it the sixth-most populated country in Africa, and 24th-most in the world.

CapitalPretoria

RegionSouthern Africa

Population64.7M

Area1,221,037 km²

CurrencySouth African rand (1 USD ≈ 16.43 ZAR)

LanguagesAfrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu

Calling code+27

Drives on theleft

TimezoneJohannesburg (UTC+2)

Nearest airportLanseria International Airport (HLA), 34 km

Emergency number112

UNESCO sites12

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$6,598 (2025)

Tourist arrivals3.9M (2020)

Climate in Pretoria

Warmest January, coolest June, driest May, sunniest January. Best time to visit: January, March, September.

Monthly climate normals for Pretoria, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	27.3°C	16.6°C	75mm	360h
February	27.4°C	16°C	89mm	331h
March	26°C	14.3°C	37mm	321h
April	22.2°C	12°C	111mm	267h
May	21.5°C	8.4°C	0mm	318h
June	18.1°C	4.7°C	4mm	294h
July	19.2°C	4.9°C	0mm	321h
August	21.9°C	7°C	3mm	323h
September	26°C	10.6°C	11mm	332h
October	27°C	14.3°C	78mm	316h
November	26.8°C	15.3°C	142mm	322h
December	26.6°C	16.5°C	107mm	332h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

South Africa is rich in culture, fauna, flora and history. Africa's southernmost country is a large country with widely varying landscapes, 12 official languages, and an equally diverse population and is often known as the "Rainbow Nation".

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cape Floristic Kingdom
Cradle of Humankind
Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites
Khomani Cultural Landscape
Makhonjwa Mountains
Maloti-Drakensberg Park
Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
Richtersveld
Robben Island
The Emergence of Modern Humans: The Pleistocene occupation sites of South Africa

Upcoming public holidays

November 4, 2026Election Day

December 16, 2026Day of Reconciliation

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

Full source list on About.