South Africa visa requirements by nationality
Whether you need a visa for South Africa depends on the passport you hold. Of the 14 most-checked passports, 11 enter visa-free and 3 need to apply for something in advance. Visa-free stays run to 90 days or 30 days depending on nationality. Find your passport in the table below for the exact rule, the stay length, the passport validity required, and any arrival registration you have to complete separately.
South Africa sets its own entry requirements and applies them by nationality. The answer also depends on why you are travelling. The rule for a holiday is often not the rule for work, study or a long stay, so check that the answer you are reading is the one for your trip.
Entry rules by passport
Select your nationality for the full answer: stay length, passport validity, pre-registration and how to apply.
| Passport | What you need | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithuania | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| Germany | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| United Kingdom | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| United States | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| France | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| Poland | Visa-freeUp to 30 days | 30 days | |
| Netherlands | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| Spain | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| Italy | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| Brazil | Visa-freeUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| India | Travel authorisationUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| China | Travel authorisationUp to 90 days | 90 days | |
| Türkiye | Visa-freeUp to 30 days | 30 days | |
| Nigeria | e-VisaNo stated limit | — |
Where to stay in South Africa
Featured stays on trip1. Book once you know what you need to get in.
What to do next
The part most visa checkers leave out: what actually needs doing before you fly.
Confirm with the official source
Rules change without notice, and only the immigration authority of South Africa can tell you where you stand. Search for its official site before you travel.
Check your passport
Passport validity required: 1 month longer than the duration of stay. Renew first if you are close, because this is the most common reason travellers are turned away.
Customs declaration required
Separate from any visa: South Africa requires this registration before or on arrival. Do it even if you need no visa.
Not your passport?
Check any of the 211 nationalities we hold rules for.
Now pick the passport you travel on.
Once you are in South Africa
Where trip1 travellers go, and what to read before you book.
Travelling somewhere else?
Check any passport against any destination