South Africaportal |
The visa policy of South Africa is how the South African government determines who may and may not enter South Africa. Visitors to South Africa must obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries, in which case they get a "Port of Entry Visa". Visitors who require a visa must apply in person and provide biometric data. [1]
All visitors must hold a passport that is valid for 1 month after departure and with one blank page (two if a visa is required). [2]
The South African Government launched an e-Visa system, initially for 14 nationalities in February 2022. [3] [4]
As of February 2020, South Africa added Tunisia to the visa-free exemption list.
Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa: [5] [6]
Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national passports are allowed to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa: [7]
1 - Visa exemption applies for holders of ordinary passports only.
2 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders.
3 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for all passport holders.
Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national passports are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 30 days:
1 - Visa exemption applies for holders of ordinary passports only.
2 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders.
Date of visa changes |
---|
Visa free:
Cancelled: |
Citizens who are holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of the following countries do not require visas for visits of the indicated period and transit for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):
|
1 - 120 days
2 - 30 days
Visa exemption agreement was signed with Mali but not yet ratified. [18]
Citizens of the following countries/territories who hold valid national passports may apply for e-Visa online provided they will land at O. R. Tambo International Airport: [19]
1 - Already exempt from visa requirement.
Individuals holding the following travel documents are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of 90 days or less:
It is a departure of a foreigner from South Africa on an expired visa that triggers an overstay. [22]
A foreigner who remains in South Africa beyond the expiry of his/her visa and has not applied for a valid status is an illegal foreigner in terms of the South African Immigration Act. [23]
An overstayer will upon departure be declared an undesirable person in terms of section 30(1)(f) of the Immigration Act.
The ban does not simply expire over time and the restrictions placed against the foreigner need to be removed and/or the undesirability uplifted. An undesirable person does not do not qualify for a port of entry visa, visa, admission into the Republic or a permanent residence permit.
Most visitors arriving to South Africa were from the following countries of nationality: [24] [25]
Country | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zimbabwe | 2,258,794 | 2,208,930 | 2,039,932 | 2,028,881 | 1,900,791 | 2,143,716 |
Lesotho | 1,563,448 | 1,739,188 | 1,747,211 | 1,757,058 | 1,394,913 | 1,501,642 |
Mozambique | 1,333,195 | 1,360,896 | 1,339,245 | 1,268,258 | 1,200,335 | 1,283,016 |
Eswatini | 917,631 | 883,735 | 876,992 | 893,618 | 835,006 | 918,490 |
Botswana | 668,315 | 688,566 | 681,379 | 679,828 | 593,514 | 555,590 |
United Kingdom | 436,559 | 430,708 | 447,901 | 447,840 | 407,486 | 401,914 |
United States | 373,694 | 376,892 | 370,747 | 345,013 | 297,226 | 309,255 |
Germany | 322,720 | 343,229 | 349,211 | 311,832 | 256,646 | 274,571 |
Malawi | 199,079 | 197,317 | 175,014 | 154,017 | 135,260 | 166,964 |
Namibia | 184,431 | 200,367 | 208,747 | 214,664 | 212,514 | 211,453 |
Total | 10,228,593 | 10,472,105 | 10,285,197 | 10,044,163 | 8,903,773 | 9,549,236 |
A visa is a conditional authorization granted by a polity to a foreigner that allows them to enter, remain within, or leave its territory. Visas typically include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits, or if the individual can work in the country in question. Visas are associated with the request for permission to enter a territory and thus are, in most countries, distinct from actual formal permission for an alien to enter and remain in the country. In each instance, a visa is subject to entry permission by an immigration official at the time of actual entry and can be revoked at any time. Visa evidence most commonly takes the form of a sticker endorsed in the applicant's passport or other travel document but may also exist electronically. Some countries no longer issue physical visa evidence, instead recording details only in immigration databases.
Visa requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Southern Africa region experiences a relatively high influx of immigration into South Africa. As of 2019, the immigration rate is continuing to increase, and the role of the female population of migrants is significantly growing in this movement and settlement. The majority of immigrants are working residents and influence the presence of several sectors in South Africa. The demographic background of this group is diverse, and the countries of origin mainly belong to Sub-Saharan Africa and push migration south. A portion have qualified as refugees since the 1990s.
Visitors to the mainland of the People's Republic of China must obtain a visa from one of the Chinese diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries. The residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with Chinese nationality may stay in Mainland indefinitely as long as their travel documents are valid.
Visa requirements for Indonesian citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of Indonesia by the authorities of other states.
Visa requirements for Malaysian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Malaysia.
Visa requirements for Australian passport holders are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Australia entering with an Australian passport.
Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong Kong are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports.
Visa requirements for South African citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Republic of South Africa.
The visa policy of Turkey deals with the requirements that a foreign national wishing to enter Turkey must meet to be permitted to travel to, enter and remain in the country.
A foreign national wishing to enter Morocco must obtain a visa unless they are a citizen of one of the countries eligible for visa exemption.
Visitors to Thailand must obtain a visa from one of the Thai diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival, or citizens eligible for an e-Visa.
Bangladesh requires all foreigners to obtain permission, specifically a visa, to enter its territory unless exempted. Visas are issued by Bangladesh diplomatic missions located throughout the world or, if applicable, on arrival in Bangladesh.
Visitors to Vietnam must obtain either an e-Visa or a visa in advance, unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
All visitors to Sri Lanka must obtain a visa, either on arrival to Sri Lanka or in advance. Most visitors entering for tourism purposes are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in order to receive a visa on arrival, unless they are exempt from obtaining one. However, nationals of some countries must obtain a visa in advance instead of an ETA before being allowed to enter Sri Lanka. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Most visitors to Cambodia must obtain a visa, either on arrival or online, unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
Visitors to Zambia must obtain a visa from one of the Zambian diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose citizens are eligible for visa on arrival. Visitors may alternatively obtain an electronic visa.
Kenya has abolished visa requirements for all foreign visitors from 1 January 2024, and instead implemented an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system.
Most visitors to Mozambique can obtain a visa for Mozambique, either on arrival or from one of the Mozambican diplomatic missions around the world in advance, unless they are a national of one of the visa-exempt countries.
Visitors to Laos must obtain a visa from one of the Laotian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens eligible for a visa on arrival or an e-Visa. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
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