South Africa
Republic of South Africa
At a glance
South Africa visa & entry requirements
Whether you need a visa for South Africa depends on your nationality. Here’s the entry picture at a glance, with official links and a way to check the exact rule for your passport.
Short-stay tourist entry to South Africa, across 198 nationalities in our dataset. Your own requirement depends on your passport — check it below.
Official sources
Last checked 2026-07-05
Visa cost indicative
Indicative figures compiled from third-party sources — not official, and not a fee charged by packset.travel. Always confirm the current fee on the official government site before you apply.
Good to know
- Nationals of visa-exempt countries (US, UK, most EU, Canada, Australia, etc.) may enter for tourism visa-free for up to 90 days; some nationalities are limited to 30 days — check the DHA exempt-countries list.
- South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at eta.dha.gov.za is in phased rollout. As of mid-2026 it is mandatory only for a limited set of previously visa-required nationalities (initially China, India, Indonesia, Mexico), with expansion planned during 2026.
- Visa-exempt travellers are NOT currently obliged to obtain an ETA and keep existing entry conditions, though they may optionally apply to speed border processing.
- Passport must be valid with at least 30 days beyond departure and have two blank pages; onward/return ticket and funds may be requested. Verify current requirements on eta.dha.gov.za before travel.
Been to South Africa already?
Scratch it off and the sheet keeps the receipt — what your passport needed to get in.
Scratch South Africa in →Do you need a visa for South Africa?
Pick your passport and get the exact entry rule for South Africa — visa-free, visa on arrival, e-Visa or apply in advance.
Staying online in South Africa
- Use home banking & apps that block foreign IP addresses
- Reach sites & services that may be blocked locally
- Encrypt hotel, café & airport WiFi
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of 93 countries can currently enter South Africa visa-free for short tourist stays, while others need a visa on arrival, an e-Visa or a visa arranged in advance. Use the visa checker to see the rule for your passport.
Fees vary by visa type and nationality. When we have indicative figures for South Africa they’re shown above, but they’re compiled from third-party sources — always confirm the current fee on the official government site before you apply.
Start on South Africa’s official government entry or e-Visa page (linked above when available). Check which visa type fits your trip, prepare a passport valid for your whole stay and any required documents, and apply well before you travel.
Rule changes for South Africa
Power & plugs
South Africa runs on 230V with plug types C, D, M, N. Most chargers work with a simple plug adapter.
South Africa uses 3 incompatible socket families, but one universal adapter handles them all — you still only pack one.
Full power guide for South AfricaLocation
Light & dark
Pretoria swings from 11-hour winter days to 14 hours of summer light. Today the sun sets at 18:01.
Build a packing plan tailored to South Africa, its weather and your trip.