Visa requirements by country
Disclaimer: The source of the below data is here. Follow the references there to the official government websites for confirmation.
Legend: easy entry need special visa unspecified or multiple options
AfghanistanVisa required
AlbaniaVisa required
NotesHolders of a valid, multiple entry and previously used visa issued by a Schengen area country, United States, or the United Kingdom can enter Albania without a visa for 90 days.
AlgeriaVisa required
AndorraVisa required
NotesAndorra has no visa regime, but is only accessible through France and Spain. Multiple Entry Schengen Visa required.
Angola
Antigua and BarbudaVisa not required|Duration: 1 month
ArgentinaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
ArmeniaeVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: 120 days
Australia and territoriesVisa required
NotesMay apply online (Online Visitor e600 visa). Transit visa is not required. Biometric Collection is mandatory upon request for the Online Visitor e600 Visa. Visas can be issued within a matter of seconds depending on the length of queue once all the appropriate information is provided including Biometrics. Departing Passengers may use SmartGate for a faster entry into the passenger area, this is not applicable to arriving passengers for entry into Australia.
AustriaVisa required
AzerbaijaneVisa|Duration: 30 days
Bahamas
BahraineVisa|Duration: 14 days
BangladeshVisa required
BarbadosVisa not required|Duration: 6 months
BelarusVisa required
BelgiumVisa required
BelizeVisa not required
BeninVisa not required|Duration: 90 Days
BhutanVisa required
BoliviaVisa on arrival|Duration: 90 days
Bosnia and HerzegovinaVisa required
NotesValid multiple entry visa holders and residents of the European Union, Schengen Area member states, and United States of America can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina without a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days.
BotswanaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
BrazilVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
BruneiVisa required
BulgariaVisa required
NotesHolders of a valid multiple entry visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state, Monaco, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania may also travel to Bulgaria without an additional visa, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period or until visa expiry date (whichever is closer)
Burkina FasoVisa required
BurundiVisa required
CambodiaeVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
Cameroon
CanadaVisa required
NotesHolders of the Right of Abode to the UK with a Certificate of Entitlement as proof of authenticity do not require Visa.
Cape VerdeVisa on arrival
Central African RepublicVisa required
ChadVisa required
ChileVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
ChinaVisa required
Notes24-Hour Transit Visa obtainable at the airport. 5 day Schenzen Visa available at the Shenzhen border if travelling from Hong Kong or Macao. Visa holders must stay within the Shenzhen City and surrounds, not travel to other cities and leave at the end of the 5 day permission. Travelling to Guangzhou would be in violation of the conditions.
Colombia
ComorosVisa on arrival
Republic of the CongoVisa required
Democratic Republic of the CongoVisa required
Costa RicaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
Côte d'Ivoire
CroatiaVisa required
NotesValid multiple entry schengen visa or valid multiple entry visa of Bulgaria, Cyprus or Romania is valid for Croatia
CubaTourist card required
CyprusVisa required
NotesHolders of a visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state, Monaco, Bulgaria, Croatia or Romania may also travel to Cyprus, without an additional visa, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period or until visa expiry date (whichever is shorter)
Czech RepublicVisa required
DenmarkVisa required
DjiboutieVisa|Duration: 31 days
DominicaVisa not required|Duration: 6 months
Dominican RepublicVisa not required
EcuadorVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
EgyptVisa required
NotesHolders of a residence permit issued by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman or the United Arab Emirates, can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days. The residence permit must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date. Must enter Egypt by air.
El SalvadorVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
Equatorial GuineaVisa required
Eritrea
EstoniaVisa required
EswatiniVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
EthiopiaeVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: up to 90 days
NotesVisa on arrival is obtainable only at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. eVisa holders must arrive via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. eVisas are available for 30 or 90 days.
FijiVisa not required|Duration: 4 months
FinlandVisa required
FranceVisa required
GabonVisa not required|Duration: 30 days.
GambiaVisa required
NotesIn addition to a visa, an entry clearance must be obtained from the Gambian Immigration prior to travel.
GeorgiaVisa not required|Duration: 1 year
GermanyVisa required
GhanaVisa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
GreeceVisa required
GrenadaVisa not required|Duration: 3 months
GuatemalaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
GuineaeVisa|Duration: 90 days
Guinea-BissaueVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: 90 days
GuyanaVisa not required|Duration: 3 months
HaitiVisa not required|Duration: 3 months
HondurasVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
HungaryVisa required
IcelandVisa required
Indiae-Visa|Duration: 60 days
Notese-Visa holders must arrive via 26 designated airports or 3 designated seaports. An Indian e-Tourist Visa can only be obtained twice in one calendar year.
IndonesiaVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
NotesSelect ports of entry only. Visa on Arrival is an alternative to the 30 day Visa Exemption, Visa on Arrival is issued for 30 days which is extendable however the exemption is not.
IranVisa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
IraqVisa required
IrelandVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
NotesEntry into Northern Ireland from Ireland is not permitted if the South African passport holder does not have a valid UK Visa. Visa checks may be carried out if travelling by land between Ireland and Northern Ireland (UK). Further checks are implied when travelling by boat or from Northern Ireland (UK) to mainland UK (Great Britain). UK direct-airside transit and transit by land visas cannot be used for travel to Ireland by transiting the UK, this is because entry in the first country (either the UK or Ireland) is considered entry to the entire Common Travel Area (UK and Republic of Ireland). Standard Visitor Visa required for the purpose of any transit.
IsraelVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
ItalyVisa required
JamaicaVisa not required|Duration: 180 Days
JapanVisa required
JordanVisa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
KazakhstanVisa required
KenyaVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
KiribatiVisa required
North KoreaVisa required
South Korea
KuwaitVisa required
NotesHolders of residence permit's issued by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates may apply for an eVisa if the main applicant works in a specific profession. Dependents holding residence permits may also obtain an eVisa, on the conditional they will enter Kuwait with the main applicant.
KyrgyzstaneVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: 1 month
NotesVisa on arrival available at Manas International Airport. Electronic visa holders must arrive via Manas International Airport or Osh Airport or through land crossings with China (at Irkeshtam and Torugart), Kazakhstan (at Ak-jol, Ak-Tilek, Chaldybar, Chon-Kapka), Tajikistan (at Bor-Dobo, Kulundu, Kyzyl-Bel) and Uzbekistan (at Dostuk).
LaoseVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
NotesVisa on arrival is available at international airports Luangphabang, Pakse, Savannakhet and Vientiane, and at 4 land borders Friendship Bridge, and at 13 border crossings as well as Tanalaeng train station in Vientiane, which connects to the train station in Nongkai, Thailand. Visa on arrival facility will be gradually phased out at various border crossings starting January 2020. eVisa may be used to enter Laos through the following entry points — Wattay International Airport and the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge Entry points Lalai, Lantui, Meuang mom, Pakxan, and Phoudou are open only to visa holders. Visa on arrival is extendable up to 60 days.
LatviaVisa required
LebanonVisa required
NotesIn addition to a visa, an approval should be obtained from the Immigration department of the General Directorate of General Security (La Surete Generale).
LesothoVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
Liberia
Libya
LiechtensteinVisa required
LithuaniaVisa required
NotesCertain travelers who are of Lithuanian Descent (i.e. by the parent, grandparent and great-grandparent) may be issued a long-stay Category D Visa or Permanent Residence valid if the relationship can be proved.
LuxembourgVisa required
MadagascareVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: 90 days
MalawiVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
MalaysiaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
MaldivesVisa on arrival|Duration: 90 days
MaliVisa required
MaltaVisa required
Marshall IslandsVisa on arrival|Duration: 90 days
Mauritania
MauritiusVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
MexicoVisa required
NotesResidents of French overseas departments and territories, Danish territories and Dutch Caribbean territories, permanent residents or valid visa holders of the United Kingdom or countries that comprise the Schengen area, holders of Permanent Resident Cards or valid visas issued by Canada, holders of permanent residence permits issued by Chile, holders of permanent residence permits issued by Colombia, holders of Permanent Residence Card, Permanent Re-entry Permit or valid visas issued by Japan, holders of permanent residence permits issued by Peru and holders of valid US visas or Green Cards - may enter Mexico without a visa for up to 180 days. Passport holders with less than six months validity may face difficulty when attempting to enter as a Business Visitor/ Tourist as they are usually permitted six months stay which might exceed the passport's validity.
MicronesiaVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
MoldovaVisa required|Duration: 90 days
NotesSouth African nationals are allowed to visit Moldova without a Moldovan visa if they hold a valid residence permit or a valid multiple entry visa issued by a Schengen member state, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria or Romania.
MonacoVisa required
NotesSchengen Visa Required. Monaco is a de facto member of the Schengen Area and there are no formal immigration procedures upon exit and entry.
MongoliaVisa required
MontenegroVisa required
NotesNationals of South Africa may visit Montenegro without a visa for up to 30 days if they hold a passport with visas issued by Ireland, a Schengen Area member state, the United Kingdom or the United States or if they are permanent residents of those countries. Residents of the United Arab Emirates do not require a visa for up to 10 days, if they hold a return ticket, fly directly in and out of Tivat Airport on FlyDubai and hold proof of accommodation.
MoroccoVisa required
MozambiqueVisa not required|Duration: 3 months
MyanmareVisa|Duration: 28 days
NoteseVisa holders must arrive via Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw or Mandalay airports or via land border crossings with Thailand — Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung or India — Rih Khaw Dar and Tamu. eVisa available for both tourism or business purposes.
NamibiaVisa not required|Duration: 3 months
NauruVisa required
NepalVisa on arrival|Duration: 90 days
NetherlandsVisa required
New ZealandVisa required
NotesHolders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.
NicaraguaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
NigerVisa required
Nigeria
North MacedoniaVisa required
NotesHolders of a valid multiple entry visa or Residence Permit for the Schengen Area may enter North Macedonia for up to 15 days visa free. A temporary residence permit of a Schengen member state is accepted since 27 February 2019. Holders of a valid UK, Canada or USA visa may enter North Macedonia for up to 15 days visa free.
NorwayVisa required
OmaneVisa|Duration: 30 days
PakistanOnline Visa
NotesOnline Visa eligible. Electronic Travel Authorization to obtain a visa on arrival for business purposes.
PalauVisa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
PanamaVisa not required|Duration: 180 days
Papua New GuineaEasy Visitor Permit|Duration: 30 days
ParaguayVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
PeruVisa not required|Duration: 180 days
PhilippinesVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
PolandVisa required
PortugalVisa required
QatarVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
NotesAvailable at Hamad International Airport. The Visa Waiver Facility (of 30 days) cannot be facilitated if stay is less than 1 night, a Transit Visa should be applied for instead. Label is put in the passport in addition to a stamp upon arrival after satisfying the entry requirements. eVisa, Transit Visa from Qatar Airways (9–96 hours) and ETA are also available. eVisa refers to a Tourist Visa. These three methods are all acceptable alternatives for tourism should the South African passport holder wish not to use the Visa Waiver Facility available upon arrival. Male travelers who are ordinarily a resident in Qatar require an Exit Visa/ Permit.
RomaniaVisa required
NotesHolders of a visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state, Monaco, Bulgaria, Croatia or Cyprus, may also travel to Romania, without an additional visa, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period or until visa expiry date (whichever is shorter)
Russia
RwandaeVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
Saint Kitts and NevisVisa not required|Duration: 3 months
Saint LuciaVisa not required|Duration: 6 weeks
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesVisa not required|Duration: 1 month
SamoaEntry Permit on arrival|Duration: 60 days
San MarinoVisa required
São Tomé and PríncipeeVisa
Saudi ArabiaVisa required
SenegalVisa on arrival|Duration: 90 days
SerbiaVisa required
NotesVisa free for a maximum stay of 90 days for valid visa holders or residents of the European Union member states and the United States.
SeychellesVisitor's Permit on arrival|Duration: 3 months
Sierra LeoneVisa on arrival
SingaporeVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
SlovakiaVisa required
SloveniaVisa required
Solomon IslandsVisa required
SomaliaVisa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
NotesAvailable at Bosaso Airport, Galcaio Airport and Mogadishu Airport.
South SudanElectronic Visa
NotesObtainable online Printed visa authorization must be presented at the time of travel
SpainVisa required
Sri LankaeVisa / Visa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
SudanVisa required
SurinameeVisa
SwedenVisa required
SwitzerlandVisa required
SyriaVisa required
Tajikistan
TanzaniaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
ThailandVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
NotesMaximum two visits annually if not arriving by air. Extendable by 30 days at any Immigration Office within Thailand.
Timor-LesteVisa on arrival|Duration: 30 days
TogoVisa not required
NotesInformation from the Togo Embassy in the United Kingdom that is not found in the IATA database which states that visa is obtainable on arrival.
TongaVisa required
Trinidad and TobagoVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
TunisiaVisa not required|Duration: 3 months
TurkeyeVisa|Duration: 30 days
Turkmenistan
TuvaluVisa on arrival|Duration: 1 month
Uganda
UkraineeVisa
United Arab EmiratesVisa required
NotesMay apply online. Emirates Airline (Dubai) and Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) routinely provide this service. Entry is only valid on condition that travel is made with the airline where the online visa is applied for and ticket is issued. Visa not required in advance if in possession of the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom with a Certificate of Entitlement in Commonwealth passport, may enter the Emirate of Dubai in the same way as a British Citizen.
United Kingdom and Crown dependenciesVisa required
NotesRight of Abode holders with a Certificate of Entitlement in their Commonwealth passport may enter the United Kingdom and remain indefinitely. Temporary Visa holders can only enter for 3 months if entering from the Republic of Ireland (Eire). The Crown dependencies include the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey as well as the Isle of Man. The same Visa Policy applies mainly to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, therefore a United Kingdom Visa can be used. Transit Visa Required unless in possession of an exemption document; Australian, New Zealand and all other Visas with confirmation slips/ electronically granted Visas with a paper print-out as confirmation are not permitted as an exemption document unless endorsed by the airline. Note: Schengen Visa type "C" is not an approved exemption document. Entry must be refused or denied boarding on vessel. Direct Airside or Transit Visa required depending on type of transit. Entering the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) by land, sea or air from the Republic of Ireland is not permitted unless in possession of a valid U.K. Visa or Immigration Document. UK Land or Transit Visa cannot be used to transit the UK from Ireland or from Ireland to the UK, a Standard Visa is required.
United StatesVisa required
NotesHolders of a B1/ B2 (B) Visa, Permanent Resident Card, D Visa who have entered the United States at least once since 2008 may use the Automated Passport Control (APC) Kiosk for faster processing at selected airports, before proceeding to a US Customs and Border Protection officer for finalization of entry into the United States. Available locations include some United States border preclearance facilities as well.
UruguayVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
UzbekistanVisa required
Notes5-day visa-free transit when in transit at the international airports on condition of holding a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country. Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
VanuatuVisa not required|Duration: 30 days
Vatican CityVisa required
NotesSchengen Visa Required. Entry can be made from Italy exclusively. Vatican City is a de facto member of the Schengen Area and there are no formal immigration procedures upon entry and exit.
VenezuelaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
VietnamVisa required
NotesPre-arranged visa obtained online through travel agencies available at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, or Da Nang airports.
YemenVisa required
ZambiaVisa not required|Duration: 90 days
ZimbabweVisa not required|Duration: 3 months