South Africa Visa Requirements

Citizens from about 80 countries including the US, UK, EU nations, Australia, Japan, and Brazil can visit visa-free for 90 days. Indian, Chinese, Nigerian, and Pakistani citizens require visas applied for in advance at South African embassies.

Most Western nationalities get 90 days visa-free. Japanese get 90 days. Brazilian get 90 days. Some nationalities get 30 days. The duration is stamped in your passport upon entry.

Apply in person at a South African embassy or VFS Global center. Submit your application with required documents, provide biometrics, and wait for processing. Online applications are not available for most visa types.

Visa-free entry is free. Visitor visas for nationalities requiring them typically cost around ZAR 1,600 ($90). Fees vary by nationality and visa type. VFS Global charges additional service fees.

South Africa has a moderate approval rate of approximately 65% for visitor visas, reflecting its strict documentation requirements and genuine visitor assessments.

Required: valid passport (2+ blank pages, 30+ days validity beyond stay), completed application form, passport photos, proof of accommodation, return ticket, proof of funds (bank statements), travel itinerary, and yellow fever certificate if applicable.

Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you're arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country. If not coming from such areas, no vaccination is required.

Children under 18 traveling to South Africa may need additional documents including unabridged birth certificates and parental consent letters. Check current requirements as rules have been simplified but still apply in certain situations.