Visa policy of South Africa
{{short description|Policy on permits required to enter South Africa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=July 2012}}
{{Politics of South Africa|expanded=Foreign}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/new-visa-rules-will-hurt-tourism-da-1.1707884#.U6hYw7HLNEM | title=New visa rules will hurt tourism: DA – IOL News | access-date=8 March 2018}}
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).{{cite web | url=http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/countries-exempt-from-sa-visas | title=Department of Home Affairs – Exempt Countries|website=home-affairs.gov.za | access-date=8 March 2018}}
The South African Government launched an e-Visa system, initially for 14 nationalities in February 2022.{{cite web | title=eVisa|url=https://ehome.dha.gov.za/epermit/home|access-date=2022-02-26 | website=Department of Home Affairs eVisa|language=en}}{{cite web|date=2022-02-10 | title=South Africa: SA eVisa System Launched in 14 Countries | url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202202110007.html | access-date=2022-02-26 | website=allAfrica | language=en}}
Visa policy map
[[File:Visa policy of South Africa.svg|687px|thumbnail|none|Visa policy of South Africa
{{legend|#ED1C24|South Africa}}
{{legend|#22B14C|Visa not required - 90 days}}
{{legend|#79D343|Visa not required - 30 days}}
{{legend|#9FD5BE|eVisa - 90 days}}
{{legend|#C0C0C0|Visa required}}]]
Visa exemption
Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa:{{cite web | url=http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries | title=Countries exempt from South African Visas. Department of Home Affairs}}{{Timatic Visa Policy|country=ZA|access-date=1 April 2017}}
=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:
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1 - Visa exemption applies to 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:
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1 - Visa exemption applies to 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):
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1 - 120 days
2 - 30 days
Visa exemption agreement was signed with Mali but not yet ratified.{{cite web | url=https://africandailyvoice.com/en/2019/02/06/south-africa-and-mali-sign-reciprocal-l-visa-waiver-agreement/ | title=South Africa and Mali sign reciprocal Visa Waiver Agreement - African Daily Voice | access-date=8 February 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209123953/https://africandailyvoice.com/en/2019/02/06/south-africa-and-mali-sign-reciprocal-l-visa-waiver-agreement/ | archive-date=9 February 2019 | url-status=dead}}
Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
File:South African eVisa Grant Notice.jpg
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:
{{cite web | url=https://ehome.dha.gov.za/epermit/home | title=South Africa eVisa}}
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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 on bona fide official business:
- African Union laissez-passer
- Southern African Development Community (SADC) laissez-passer: Staff members of SADC who travel on SADC laissez-passer are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide official business visits of 90 days or less and transit.
- United Nations laissez-passer
- Interpol Passport Holders
Visa types
=Visas issued by South Africa are for:<ref>{{cite web | title=Types of Visas | url=http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/types-of-visas | publisher=Department of Home Affairs}}</ref>=
- Tourism or visits to family or friends
- Medical treatment
- Working in the entertainment industry
- Attending a conference
- Treaty conditions compliance
- Maritime crew
- Cultural, economic and social exchange programmes
- Transit
=Temporary residence visas issued by South Africa are:<ref>{{cite web | title= Types of Temporary Residence Visas | url=http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/types-of-temporary-permits | publisher=Department of Home Affairs}}</ref>=
- Business visas
- Work visas
- Quota work visas
- General work visas
- Critical skills work visa
- Intra-company Transfer Work visa
- Corporate visas
- Study visas
- Exchange visas
- Retired persons' visa
- Relatives' visa
- Medical Treatment visa
The critical skills list [https://immigrationconsultantsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CritcalSkills_102023-1.pdf Critical Skills List] outlines high-demand occupations that qualify foreign professionals for a Critical Skills Visa, helping to address skill shortages in key industries.
Overstay consequences
It is a departure of a foreigner from South Africa on an expired visa that triggers an overstay.{{cite web |last1=Eisenberg |first1=Gary |title=Immigration Attorney |url=https://eisenberg.co.za/south-african-immigration-overstay-and-notice-of-undesirability/ |website=Eisenberg & Associates |date=June 2018 |publisher=Eisenberg & Associates |access-date=14 September 2021}}
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.{{cite web |last1=Department of Home Affairs |title=South African Immigration Act |url=http://www.dha.gov.za/IMMIGRATION_ACT_2002_MAY2014.pdf |website=DHA: Publications |access-date=14 September 2021}}
An overstayer will upon departure be declared an undesirable person in terms of section 30(1)(f) of the Immigration Act.
- A foreigner who has overstayed less than 30 days the validity of his/her visa will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 1 year.
- A foreigner who has overstayed more than 30 days the validity of his/her visa will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 5 years.
- A foreigner who overstayed twice in a period of 24 months (repeat offenders) will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 2 years.
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:{{cite web | url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/Report-03-51-02/Report-03-51-022019.pdf | title=Tourism 2019, pages 11–14 | access-date=2020-07-15}}{{cite web | url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1859 | title=Publication – Statistics South Africa| first=Statistics South | last=Africa | website=statssa.gov.za | access-date=8 March 2018}}
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! style=background:#0072C6| Country ! style=background:#0072C6| 2019 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2018 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2017 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2016 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2015 ! style=background:#0072C6| 2014 | ||||||
| {{flag|Zimbabwe}} | 2,258,794 | 2,208,930 | 2,039,932 | 2,028,881 | 1,900,791 | 2,143,716 |
| {{flag|Lesotho}} | 1,563,448 | 1,739,188 | 1,747,211 | 1,757,058 | 1,394,913 | 1,501,642 |
| {{flag|Mozambique}} | 1,333,195 | 1,360,896 | 1,339,245 | 1,268,258 | 1,200,335 | 1,283,016 |
| {{flag|Eswatini}} | 917,631 | 883,735 | 876,992 | 893,618 | 835,006 | 918,490 |
| {{flag|Botswana}} | 668,315 | 688,566 | 681,379 | 679,828 | 593,514 | 555,590 |
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} | 436,559 | 430,708 | 447,901 | 447,840 | 407,486 | 401,914 |
| {{flag|United States}} | 373,694 | 376,892 | 370,747 | 345,013 | 297,226 | 309,255 |
| {{flag|Germany}} | 322,720 | 343,229 | 349,211 | 311,832 | 256,646 | 274,571 |
| {{flag|Malawi}} | 199,079 | 197,317 | 175,014 | 154,017 | 135,260 | 166,964 |
| {{flag|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 |
See also
{{Portal|South Africa}}
{{Wikivoyage|South Africa}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Visa policy by country}}
{{Visa Requirements}}