Visa policy of South Africa

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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]

Contents

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.

Visa policy map

Visa policy of South Africa
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South Africa
Visa not required - 90 days
Visa not required - 30 days
eVisa - 90 days
Visa required Visa policy of South Africa.svg
Visa policy of South Africa
  South Africa
  Visa not required - 90 days
  Visa not required - 30 days
  eVisa - 90 days
  Visa required

Visa exemption

Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa: [5] [6]

90 days

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.

30 days

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.

Non-ordinary passports

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]

Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

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.

Eligible international organizations

Individuals holding the following travel documents are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of 90 days or less:

Visa types

Visas issued by South Africa are for: [20]

Temporary residence visas issued by South Africa are: [21]

Overstay consequences

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.

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving to South Africa were from the following countries of nationality: [24] [25]

Country201920182017201620152014
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 2,258,7942,208,9302,039,9322,028,8811,900,7912,143,716
Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 1,563,4481,739,1881,747,2111,757,0581,394,9131,501,642
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 1,333,1951,360,8961,339,2451,268,2581,200,3351,283,016
Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 917,631883,735876,992893,618835,006918,490
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 668,315688,566681,379679,828593,514555,590
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 436,559430,708447,901447,840407,486401,914
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 373,694376,892370,747345,013297,226309,255
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 322,720343,229349,211311,832256,646274,571
Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 199,079197,317175,014154,017135,260166,964
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 184,431200,367208,747214,664212,514211,453
Total10,228,59310,472,10510,285,19710,044,1638,903,7739,549,236

See also

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References

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  20. "Types of Visas". Department of Home Affairs.
  21. "Types of Temporary Residence Visas". Department of Home Affairs.
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