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.
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).
In February 2022, the South African Government launched an e-Visa system, initially for 14 nationalities.
In September 2025, the Department of Home Affairs launched a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. The ETA system is designed to simplify entry procedures into the country, and first went live in mid-October 2025, for the G20 summit participants. In late November, the second phase extended the requirement to obtain an ETA to all passport holders from these countries entering South Africa for business or tourism only for these specified countries: Mainland China, India, Indonesia and Mexico.
Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national passports are allowed to stay in South Africa without a visa:
<sub>1 - Visa exemption applies to holders of ordinary passports only.</sub><br/> <sub>2 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders.</sub><br/> <sub>3 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for all passport holders.</sub>
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):
<sub>1 - 120 days</sub><br/> <sub>2 - 30 days</sub>
Visa exemption agreement was signed with Mali but not yet ratified.
Starting in late November 2025, business and tourist visitors from the following countries may apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA is valid only for entry through the designated ports of entry: O. R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, or Lanseria International Airport.
The ETA is usually granted instantly or within 72 hours. Passport holders from eligible countries may stay for up to 90 days per year, with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional 90 days:
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:
<sub>1 - ETA also available. </sub>
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:
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The critical skills list outlines high-demand occupations that qualify foreign professionals for a Critical Skills Visa, helping to address skill shortages in key industries.
It is a departure of a foreigner from South Africa on an expired visa that triggers an overstay.
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.
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 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: