South Africa Passport & Visa Requirements

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Passport & Visa

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Entry requirements for Americans: United States nationals need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals need a passport valid for 6 months beyond the date of intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days if passport is endorsed British Citizen including Guernsey, Jersey and Isle of Man, British Dependent Territories Citizen, or British Overseas Territories Citizen (Virgin Islands). Those whose passports state British National (Overseas) may stay up to 30 days without a visa. All others require a visa. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals need a passport valid for 6 months beyond the date of intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals need a passport valid for 6 months beyond the date of intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for 30 days beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport valid for 30 days beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Passport/Visa Note: Passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of intended stay. An onward or return ticket is required and evidence of sufficient funds. Note that visitors to South Africa must have at least one blank (unstamped) visa page in their passport, each time entry is sought; this page is in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport. However nationals of countries that require a visa before travelling to South Africa, must have two blank pages in their passport - one for issuing a visa prior to departure and one for stamping at the port of entry when entering South Africa. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.


Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

South Africa travel Forum
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