This article is part of a series on the
Politics of South Africa
Constitution Bill of Rights
Executive President Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy President Paul Mashatile Cabinet Departments Shadow Cabinet
Legislature National Council of Provinces Chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza Leader of the Opposition John Hlophe
Judiciary Chief Justice Ray Zondo Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya Courts Constitutional Court Supreme Court of Appeal President: Mahube Molemela High Court Magistrate's courts Electoral Court
Elections General 1910 1915 1920 1921 1924 1929 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1961 1966 1970 1974 1977 1981 1984 1987 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 2024 Municipal 2000 2006 2011 2016 2021 Referendums 1960 1983 1992 Political parties
Administrative divisions Provinces Districts Metropolitan municipality District municipality Municipalities (list)
Foreign relations Department of International Relations and Cooperation Minister: Naledi Pandor Diplomatic missions of / in South Africa Nationality law Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Related topics Human rights National debt Political assassinations Protests Repression Social Welfare Taxation
Provincial politics Politics of the Eastern Cape Politics of the Free State Politics of Gauteng Politics of KwaZulu-Natal Politics of Limpopo Politics of Mpumalanga Politics of the Northern Cape Politics of North West Politics of the Western Cape
South Africa portal Other countries

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.^[1]

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).^[2]

The South African Government launched an e-Visa system, initially for 14 nationalities in February 2022.^[3][4]

Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa:^[5][6]

Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national passports are allowed to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa: ^[7]

_{1 - Visa exemption applies to holders of ordinary passports only.
2 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders.
3 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for all passport holders.}

Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national passports are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 30 days:

_{1 - Visa exemption applies to holders of ordinary passports only.
2 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders.}

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):

_{1 - 120 days
2 - 30 days}

Visa exemption agreement was signed with Mali but not yet ratified.^[18]

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: ^[19]

_{1 - Already exempt from visa requirement.}

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:

• African Union laissez-passer
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) laissez-passer: Staff members of SADC who travel on SADC laissez-passer are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide official business visits of 90 days or less and transit.
• United Nations laissez-passer
• Interpol Passport Holders

• Tourism or visits to family or friends
• Medical treatment
• Working in the entertainment industry
• Attending a conference
• Treaty conditions compliance
• Maritime crew
• Cultural, economic and social exchange programmes
• Transit

• Business visas
• Work visas
• Quota work visas
• General work visas
• Critical skills work visa
• Intra-company Transfer Work visa
• Corporate visas
• Study visas
• Exchange visas
• Retired persons' visa
• Relatives' visa
• Medical Treatment visa

It is a departure of a foreigner from South Africa on an expired visa that triggers an overstay.^[22]

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.^[23]

An overstayer will upon departure be declared an undesirable person in terms of section 30(1)(f) of the Immigration Act.

• A foreigner who has overstayed less than 30 days the validity of his/her visa will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 1 year.
• A foreigner who has overstayed more than 30 days the validity of his/her visa will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 5 years.
• A foreigner who overstayed twice in a period of 24 months (repeat offenders) will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 2 years.

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 do 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:^[24][25]

Country	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014
Zimbabwe	2,258,794	2,208,930	2,039,932	2,028,881	1,900,791	2,143,716
Lesotho	1,563,448	1,739,188	1,747,211	1,757,058	1,394,913	1,501,642
Mozambique	1,333,195	1,360,896	1,339,245	1,268,258	1,200,335	1,283,016
Eswatini	917,631	883,735	876,992	893,618	835,006	918,490
Botswana	668,315	688,566	681,379	679,828	593,514	555,590
United Kingdom	436,559	430,708	447,901	447,840	407,486	401,914
United States	373,694	376,892	370,747	345,013	297,226	309,255
Germany	322,720	343,229	349,211	311,832	256,646	274,571
Malawi	199,079	197,317	175,014	154,017	135,260	166,964
Namibia	184,431	200,367	208,747	214,664	212,514	211,453
Total	10,228,593	10,472,105	10,285,197	10,044,163	8,903,773	9,549,236

• Tourism in South Africa
• Visa requirements for South African citizens
• List of ports of entry in South Africa
• List of diplomatic missions of South Africa