Visa-Free Entry
Ninety days for most Western passports, and 30 days for a second group.
Visa-Free Entry
South Africa admits most EU, UK, US, Canadian, Australian and many Latin American and African passports without a visa for up to 90 days. A second group, including South Korea, Poland, Cyprus, Hong Kong and Thailand, gets 30 days. Passports need two blank pages and 30 days of validity beyond departure. It is a visitor status, so work for South African employers is not allowed; the remote work visa covers longer stays.
At a glance
Initial stay
90 days
Default; varies by passport
Entries
Multiple
Application fee
Free
Apply
No application
Who can apply
93 nationalities are on the eligible list. Anyone not listed applies through a different route.
Eligible passports (93)
Stay length by passport
Most passports get 90 days. 24 nationalities get a different allowance — check yours before booking.
Requirements
- Passport eligible for visa-free entryRequiredAround 70 nationalities are exempt: most for 90 days, some for 30.
- Within the visa-free allowanceRequiredNinety days for most exempt passports, 30 days for others.
- Passport with two blank pagesRequiredYour passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your departure and have two blank pages for stamps.
- Onward or return ticketAdvisoryImmigration may ask for a return or onward ticket.
- Not a work permitInfoVisitors cannot work for South African employers. The remote work visa allows remote work for foreign employers.
Documents to prepare
- Passport with two blank pages
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of funds if asked
- Unabridged birth certificates for travelling minors
How to apply
Last verified 2026-10-12
Enter visa-free
Show your passport; the officer stamps the permitted stay.
Extending the stay
Extendable
Yes
Per extension
90 days
Max extensions
1
Where
In country
A visitor visa extension can be requested through VFS Global at least 60 days before the stay ends.
Tax and health
Tax
Physical presence of more than 91 days a year over several years can make you a South African tax resident.
Insurance
Not required. Not required, but recommended given private healthcare costs.
Healthcare
Yellow fever certificate if arriving from an endemic country.
Immigration and tax rules change without notice and depend on your nationality and circumstances. Confirm with the official source below or a qualified adviser before acting on anything here.
Good to know
- Check you have two fully blank pages
- Children travelling may need birth certificates
- Overstays can lead to multi-year entry bans
- Extensions must be filed well before the stay ends
Official source
medium confidenceOther ways into South Africa