Some good news for South African passport holders
South Africa remains the only African nation whose citizens can apply for a Japanese tourist visa through Japan’s electronic visa (eVisa) system.
This simplifies the visa application process for South Africans planning on travelling to Japan, one of Asia’s largest developed economies.
In a statement, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the online visa system remains available to applicants from a select group of countries, including South Africa.
“Foreign nationals/people who wish to travel to Japan for tourism for a short-term period can apply for a visa online and receive an electronic visa (eVisa) through the Japan eVisa system.”
The ministry said that South Africa joined Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States as countries whose residents can use the platform.
It added that the eVisa is available for travellers arriving in Japan by air or sea, limited to scheduled international passenger ferry services between Japan and Busan or Shanghai.
The visa is valid for a single-entry stay of up to 90 days for tourism purposes. “Electronic visas will be issued to those who applied through the Japan eVisa website,” the ministry said.
According to the South African Embassy in Tokyo, 2025 marked the 115th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Trade between South Africa and Japan reached R155.7 billion, while 273 Japanese companies currently operate in South Africa.
The embassy noted that this extensive business relationship has supported stronger airline partnerships through Middle Eastern and East African hubs.
This makes travel between the two countries increasingly accessible for both business and leisure travellers. Japan has also become one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), the country welcomed a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, surpassing the previous year’s total by 5.8 million.
More international flights
South African passport holders will have more options for travelling abroad as several airlines launch new international routes or expand existing services.
The new launches improve South Africa’s air connectivity with Europe, Latin America, and parts of Africa.
The latest addition is a new direct service between Johannesburg and Madrid. On 25 June, O.R. Tambo International Airport welcomed the inaugural Air Europa flight from the Spanish capital, marking the airline’s first route into sub-Saharan Africa.
The service will operate three times a week, creating a direct link between South Africa and Spain and providing easier access to destinations across Europe and Latin America through Madrid.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille welcomed the launch and described it as another step forward in expanding South Africa’s international aviation network.
“The launch of the route comes as the government continues to implement the Cabinet-endorsed Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan,” said De Lille.
She added that this plan seeks to expand direct air access to South Africa through coordinated route development, strategic destination marketing, and collaboration with provincial partners.
She added that the new route is a strong vote of confidence in South Africa’s tourism industry and broader economic prospects.
German leisure airline Condor has extended its seasonal Frankfurt-to-Cape Town service, while the Lufthansa Group has announced its largest-ever South African winter schedule for the 2026/27 season.
From the end of October 2026, Lufthansa will operate 38 weekly long-haul flights between South Africa and Europe, including three additional services.
One of the biggest changes will be an increase in flights between Johannesburg and Munich. The airline will expand the route from three flights a week to five, with services operating every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Lufthansa will also convert the Munich-Johannesburg service into an overnight schedule in both directions from 27 October 2026.
Additionally, Edelweiss, also part of the Lufthansa Group, will continue operating up to five weekly nonstop flights between Cape Town and Zurich using the Airbus A350.
Lufthansa Group Airlines’ René Koinzack explained that the increased investment in South Africa is due to continued growth in international travel demand.
This article has been updated to include the expansion of international travel options for South Africans.
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