These are the countries that don’t need a visa to visit South Africa

The department of home affairs recently updated its list of countries which are not required to present a visa when entering the country.
Despite featuring a relatively diverse list of countries on the list, the department has come under considerable scrutiny over the past year for turning away millions of rands due to its strict tourist requirements, and for not effectively communicating changes made to its allowed countries list.
You can find the list of allowed countries detailed below.
90 days or less
The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official or ordinary) of the following countries is not required to hold a visa for an intended stay of 90 days or less and when in transit.
(* marks specific exceptions)
A-G | H-P | Q-Z |
---|---|---|
African Union Laissez Passer | Iceland | Russian Federation |
Andorra | Ireland | San Marino |
Argentina | Israel | Singapore |
Australia | Italy | Spain |
Austria | Jamaica | St Vincent & the Grenadines |
Belgium | Japan | Sweden |
Botswana | Liechtenstein | Switzerland |
Botswana | Luxemburg | Tanzania* |
Brazil | Malta | Trinidad & Tobago* |
Canada | Monaco | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland* |
Chile* | Namibia | British Islands* |
Czech Republic | Netherlands | United States of America |
Denmark | Norway | Uruguay |
Ecuador | Panama | Venezuela |
Finland | Paraguay | Zambia* |
France | Portugal | Zimbabwe |
Germany* | ||
Greece |
30 days
The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official or ordinary) of the following countries is not required to hold a visa for an intended stay of 30 days or less and when in transit.
(* marks specific exceptions)
A-F | G-O | P-Z |
---|---|---|
Antigua and Barbuda | Hong Kong | Peru |
Bahamas* | Hungary | Poland |
Barbados | Jordan | Seychelles |
Belize | Lesotho | South Korea |
Benin | Macau | Swaziland |
Bolivia | Malaysia | Thailand |
Cape Verde | Malawi | Turkey |
Costa Rica | Maldives | |
Cyprus | Mauritius | |
Gabon | Mozambique | |
Guyana |
Special passports
In addition to the above broad visa rules, specific agreements have also been concluded with the following countries for holders of diplomatic and official passport holders.
(* marks specific exceptions)
A-G | H-P | Q-Z |
---|---|---|
Albania (120 days) | Hungary (120 days) | Romania (90 days) |
Algeria (30 days) | India (90 days) | Rwanda (30 days) |
Angola (90 days) | Indonesia (30 days) | Senegal (90 days) |
Belarus (90 days) | Ivory Coast (30 days) | Slovak Republic (90 days) |
Benelux states (90 days) | Kenya (30 days) | Thailand (90 days) |
Bulgaria (90 days) | Mexico (90 days) | Thailand (90 days)* |
China (30 days) | Madagascar (30 days) | Vietnam (90 days) |
Cyprus (90 days) | Morocco (30 days) | |
Comoros (90 days) | Mozambique (90 days) | |
Croatia (90 days) | Namibia (30 days) | |
Cuba (90 days) | Nigeria (90 days) | |
Egypt (30 days) | Paraguay (120 days) | |
Ghana (90 days) | Poland (90 days) | |
Guinea (90 days) |
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