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

South Africa passport

Visa requirements for ordinary passport holders, tourism. Data as of September 4, 2026.

South Africa passport holders can travel to 92 destinations without arranging a visa in advance. That is 67 visa-free, 20 with a visa on arrival, and 5 with an electronic travel authorisation. 21 more offer an e-visa; 135 require a visa before you travel. This puts the South Africa passport 59th of 250 worldwide.

67 visa-free
20 on arrival
5 eTA
21 e-visa
135 visa required
#59 global rank

Visa-free

67 destinations

Enter on a valid passport, no visa.

Visa on arrival

20 destinations

A visa is issued at the border.

Electronic travel authorisation (eTA)

5 destinations

Quick online approval before departure.

e-Visa

21 destinations

Apply and get approved online before travel.

Visa required in advance

135 destinations

Arrange a visa before you travel.

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

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

Calling code+27

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$6,598 (2025)

Tourist arrivals3.9M (2020)

Climate in Pretoria

Warmest in January, coolest in June, driest in May. Monthly mean temperature:

January to December, climate normals via Open-Meteo (2020)

Summary from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.