South AfricaUnited Kingdom: Visa required

South AfricaUnited Kingdom

Do South Africa passport holders need a visa for United Kingdom?

Visa required

Yes. South Africa passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to United Kingdom.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: gov.uk (checked July 18, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance9,025 km, straight line (~11h 7m nonstop)

Visa-free access to United Kingdom114 of 228 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? United Kingdom passport holders visiting South Africa: Visa-free.

Visa-free alternatives near United Kingdom

South Africa passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for South Africa passport holders

See all South Africa destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do South Africa passport holders need a visa for United Kingdom?

Yes. South Africa passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to United Kingdom.

How far is United Kingdom from South Africa?

About 9,025 km in a straight line, roughly ~11h 7m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in United Kingdom?

British pound (GBP).

What is the emergency number in United Kingdom?

112 / 999.

What time zone is United Kingdom in?

London (UTC+1).

What is the nearest airport to London?

London City Airport (LCY), about 13 km away.

How many countries can enter United Kingdom without a visa?

114 of the 228 nationalities this site tracks can enter United Kingdom visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can South Africa passport holders visit without a visa instead of United Kingdom?

Andorra, San Marino.

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.

About United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 69 million in 2025. The UK includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and most of the smaller islands within the British Isles, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). It shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea, while maintaining sovereignty over the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. The capital and largest city of England and the UK is London; Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are the national capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

CapitalLondon

RegionNorthern Europe

Population69.5M

Area242,900 km²

CurrencyBritish pound (1 USD ≈ 0.75 GBP)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+44

Drives on theleft

TimezoneLondon (UTC+1)

Nearest airportLondon City Airport (LCY), 13 km

Emergency number112 / 999

UNESCO sites37

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$57,602 (2025)

Tourist arrivals11.1M (2020)

Climate in London

Warmest August, coolest December, driest May, sunniest May.

Monthly climate normals for London, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	9.4°C	3.8°C	59mm	127h
February	10.2°C	3.6°C	103mm	157h
March	10.8°C	3.1°C	45mm	229h
April	16.6°C	5.6°C	34mm	323h
May	19.1°C	7.8°C	5mm	397h
June	20.5°C	11.5°C	80mm	324h
July	21.7°C	12.9°C	47mm	320h
August	23.5°C	15.3°C	74mm	313h
September	20°C	11°C	25mm	266h
October	14.1°C	8.2°C	159mm	169h
November	12.4°C	5.9°C	48mm	141h
December	8.1°C	3°C	85mm	117h

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

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy comprising most of the British Isles. It is a union of four constituent countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, each of which has something unique and exciting for visitors.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
Blenheim Palace
Buildings and architecture of Bath
Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church
Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
Derwent Valley Mills
Durham Castle and Cathedral
Flow Country
Forth Bridge

Upcoming public holidays

November 30, 2026Saint Andrew's Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 28, 2026Boxing Day

Full source list on About.