Visa policy of South Africa

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]

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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.

On 25 March 2020, the South African government removed 12 countries and territories from its visa-free exemption list. Citizens from these countries previously did not have to pay any sort of visa fees but now have to do so until further notice. More countries may be added to the list of removed countries if the South African government feels like they are a risk. A statement from the Department of Home Affairs reads "Take note: visa exemptions for travellers from COVID-19 high and medium risk countries has been withdrawn temporarily until further notice."[5]

Visa policy map
Visa policy of South Africa
  South Africa
  Visa-free access to South Africa for 90 days
  Visa-free access to South Africa for 30 days
  eVisa for 30 days
  Visa required for ordinary passports; Visa-free access for diplomatic, official and service passports
  Visa required for entry to South Africa for all passports

Visa exemptions

Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa:[6][7]

90 days

Citizens of the following 55 countries/territories who hold valid national passports are allowed to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa:[8]

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 28 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.

eVisa

Citizens of the following 14 countries/territories who hold valid national passports may apply for eVisas online provided they will land at O. R. Tambo International Airport:[9]

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]

Eligible international organizations

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

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

Visa types

Visas issued by South Africa are for:[19]

  • 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:[20]

  • 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

e-Visa system

The Department of Home Affairs announced during a parliamentary presentation on 18 February 2020 that a new e-Visa system would be introduced to simplify entrance into the country. The government department revealed that it had successfully trialled the e-Visa in Kenya, with further plans to extend this to India, Nigeria and China in the months following.[21]

The pilot trials were conducted in November 2019. The estimated time for an e-Visa application process would take 20 minutes, according to Department of Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza, granted that all the relevant travel documents are readily available.[22]

Overstay consequences

It is a departure of a foreigner from South Africa on an expired visa that triggers an overstay.[23]

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.[24]

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 and 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.

Minors

From 1 June 2015, all minors under the age of 18 travelling in and out of South Africa must hold, in addition to their passport, an unabridged birth certificate[25] with particulars of both parents. The requirement applies to both domestic and foreign citizens. If the child is travelling with only one parent, an affidavit with the absent parent's consent is required. If the child is travelling with another adult and without both parents, an affidavit with consent of both parents must be produced. An unaccompanied minor, in addition to holding an affidavit and birth certificate, must provide the requisite information of the local South African host.[26][27] The rule has been widely criticized by the tourism industry, but officials claimed that the rule was implemented to fight widespread human trafficking and unilateral child custody abuse in South Africa.[28][29] By October 2016 over 13,000 tourists had been prevented from entering the country due to the unabridged birth certificate requirement, thus having a negative impact on the economy.[30]

In September 2018 the Cabinet announced that they intend on scrapping this controversial requirement for children travelling.[31]

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving to South Africa were from the following countries of nationality:[32][33]

Country 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
 Zimbabwe2,258,7942,208,9302,039,9322,028,8811,900,7912,143,716
 Lesotho1,563,4481,739,1881,747,2111,757,0581,394,9131,501,642
 Mozambique1,333,1951,360,8961,339,2451,268,2581,200,3351,283,016
 eSwatini917,631883,735876,992893,618835,006918,490
 Botswana668,315688,566681,379679,828593,514555,590
 United Kingdom436,559430,708447,901447,840407,486401,914
 United States373,694376,892370,747345,013297,226309,255
 Germany322,720343,229349,211311,832256,646274,571
 Malawi199,079197,317175,014154,017135,260166,964
 Namibia184,431200,367208,747214,664212,514211,453
Total10,228,59310,472,10510,285,19710,044,1638,903,7739,549,236

See also
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for South Africa.
  • Visa requirements for South African citizens
  • List of ports of entry in South Africa
  • List of diplomatic missions of South Africa

References
  1. "New visa rules will hurt tourism: DA – IOL News". Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  2. "Department of Home Affairs – Exempt Countries". home-affairs.gov.za. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  3. "eVisa". Department of Home Affairs eVisa. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  4. "South Africa: SA eVisa System Launched in 14 Countries". allAfrica. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  5. "Department of Home Affairs - Exempt Countries".
  6. "Countries exempt from South African Visas. Department of Home Affairs".
  7. "Visa and health information". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Gulf Air. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  8. "Department of Home Affairs - Exempt Countries".
  9. "Department of Home Affairs". Department of Home Affairs. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  10. "Concórdia". Concordia.itamaraty.gov.br. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  11. "Statement of Treaties and International Agreements Registered or filed and recorded with the Secretariat during the month of February 2010" (PDF). New York: United Nations. June 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  12. Edwards, Caryn (24 November 2017). "Angola-South Africa entry VISA free exemption a big boost for tourism, trade & investment in the Cape". Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  13. "South Africa soon to open visa-free door to Kiwis".
  14. 外交部 (12 July 2017). "中華民國(台灣)外交部全球資訊網". 中華民國外交部 – 全球資訊網 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  15. Gschwind, RIC Media – Enrica Hölzinger,Patrick. "Visa & Consular – South African Embassy and Permanent Mission in Vienna". suedafrika-botschaft.at. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  16. "DHA revokes visa free travel for New Zealand nationals, but that's just the beginning". 14 December 2016.
  17. "Department of Home Affairs - Exempt Countries".
  18. "South Africa and Mali sign reciprocal Visa Waiver Agreement – African Daily Voice". Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  19. "Types of Visas". Department of Home Affairs.
  20. "Types of Temporary Residence Visas". Department of Home Affairs.
  21. Stanton, Maya. "South Africa to launch new e-visa scheme". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  22. "South Africa is expanding its new e-visa system". Business Tech. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  23. Eisenberg, Gary (June 2018). "Immigration Attorney". Eisenberg & Associates. Eisenberg & Associates. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  24. Department of Home Affairs. "South African Immigration Act" (PDF). DHA: Publications. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  25. "Travelling with children to or from South Africa? Child Visa Checklist app helps". Drive South Africa. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  26. "Unabridged Birth Certificates – Travelstart.co.za". travelstart.co.za. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  27. "How to travel with children into and out of SA". enca.com. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  28. "The sorry, messy unabridged birth certificate saga: SA front pages, 2015-05-22". Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  29. Leadbeater, Chris (4 February 2016). "South Africa's new rules on travelling with children 'may deter families'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 March 2018 – via telegraph.co.uk.
  30. "New visa rules: 13 000 denied entry into SA | IOL". Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  31. "More details on South Africa's new visa rules revealed". Businesstech.co.za. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  32. "Tourism 2019, pages 11–14" (PDF). Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  33. Africa, Statistics South. "Publication – Statistics South Africa". statssa.gov.za. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
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