South Africa passport
Visa requirements for ordinary passport holders, tourism. Data as of October 14, 2026.
South Africa passport holders can travel to 95 destinations without arranging a visa in advance. That is 66 visa-free, 22 with a visa on arrival, and 7 with an electronic travel authorisation. 20 more offer an e-visa; 133 require a visa before you travel. This puts the South Africa passport 60th of 199 worldwide.
- 66 visa-free
- 22 on arrival
- 7 eTA
- 20 e-visa
- 133 visa required
- #60 global rank
Visa-free
66 destinationsEnter on a valid passport, no visa.
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antarctica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina3 months
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize30 days
- Benin3 months
- Botswana3 months
- Brazil3 months
- British Virgin Islands
- Cape Verde30 days
- Cayman Islands
- Chile3 months
- Costa Rica6 months
- Dominica21 days
- Dominican Republic30 days
- Ecuador3 months
- El Salvador3 months
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gabon30 days
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana30 days
- Haiti
- Honduras3 months
- Hong Kong7 days
- Jamaica
- Kenya3 months
- Kiribati3 months
- Lesotho
- Macau30 days
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Micronesia30 days
- Montserrat
- Mozambique30 days
- Namibia
- Nicaragua
- Oman14 days
- Panama3 months
- Paraguay
- Peru3 months
- Philippines30 days
- Qatar3 months
- Russia
- Saint Helena
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa3 months
- San Marino30 days
- Singapore
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Tanzania
- Togo30 days
- Tunisia3 months
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uruguay3 months
- Vanuatu4 months
- Venezuela3 months
- Zambia3 months
- Zimbabwe
Visa on arrival
22 destinationsA visa is issued at the border.
Electronic travel authorisation (eTA)
7 destinationsQuick online approval before departure.
e-Visa
20 destinationsApply and get approved online before travel.
Visa required in advance
133 destinationsArrange a visa before you travel.
- Åland Islands
- Albania
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Anguilla
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bouvet Island
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Central African Republic
- China
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Colombia
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Croatia
- Curaçao
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- DR Congo
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French Southern Territories
- Gambia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guernsey
- Guinea-Bissau
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Italy
- Japan
- Jersey
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Mali
- Malta
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Republic of the Congo
- Réunion
- Romania
- Saint Barthélemy
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sint Maarten
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Georgia
- Spain
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tokelau
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkmenistan
- U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uzbekistan
- Wallis and Futuna
- Western Sahara
- Yemen
Frequently asked questions
How many countries can South Africa passport holders visit visa-free?
95 out of 248 destinations covered, without arranging a visa in advance (visa-free, on arrival, or eTA). 20 more offer an e-visa; 133 require a visa before travel.
Where can South Africa passport holders travel without a visa?
The country-by-country list below shows where South Africa passport holders can travel visa-free, get a visa on arrival, use an eTA, apply for an e-visa, or need a visa in advance. 95 destinations are currently in the easier-access group.
Do South Africa passport holders need a visa?
It depends on the destination. Some destinations are visa-free or offer a visa on arrival or eTA; 20 offer an e-visa, while 133 require a visa before travel. Check the destination-specific entry rule and official authority before departure.
How can I check the latest visa requirements for a South Africa passport?
Use the destination list and visa requirement pages on this site as a starting point. The South Africa passport data is dated October 14, 2026; rules can change and may depend on nationality, residence, travel purpose, passport validity, or length of stay. Confirm the result with the destination's official immigration authority or consulate.
What is the South Africa passport ranked?
60th of 199 passports worldwide, by number of visa-free-or-easier destinations.
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does South Africa have?
12.
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.