Before you travel
South Africa visa requirements.
British, US, Canadian, Australian, German and French citizens can visit South Africa visa-free for 90 days. All travellers file an online declaration.
Photo Brent Ninaber / Unsplash
Correct at the time of publishing, . Fees and entry rules are subject to change without notice, and many rules depend on the passport you hold. Confirm with the official source listed under each answer, or with your airline, before you travel.
Check the rules for your passport. Requirements differ by nationality, purpose and length of stay.
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Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
South Africa exempts many nationalities from needing a visa for a visit. Holders of ordinary British, US, German, French, Canadian and Australian passports are exempt for up to 90 days; some other nationalities, such as South Korea and Hong Kong, are exempt for 30 days. Other nationalities need a visitor's visa before travelling.
The immigration officer at the port of entry decides whether you are admitted and for how long, so check the period stamped in your passport before you leave the immigration hall.
Sources: Department of Home Affairs: countries exempt from South African visas (issued 9 December 2025); Department of Home Affairs: types of visas
What is South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?
Home Affairs launched the ETA on 12 August 2026, after a pilot for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. It is being made compulsory in stages for nationalities that need a visa, and is optional for visa-exempt visitors. An approved ETA is issued within 24 hours.
Home Affairs lists an electronic processing fee of R500 for the ETA. The nationalities it applies to are being extended over time, so check the Home Affairs ETA portal before you apply.
Fees were correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without notice.
Sources: Department of Home Affairs: Minister's address at the launch of the ETA (12 August 2026); Department of Home Affairs: tariffs and fees (updated August 2026)
What passport validity and blank pages does South Africa require?
Home Affairs requires a passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of your intended visit, with at least one blank page. The UK and US governments advise two blank pages, which the US specifies as consecutive, completely blank visa pages. Carry two, and more if your trip leaves South Africa and comes back, since every crossing is stamped.
Sources: Department of Home Affairs: types of visas; UK government (FCDO): South Africa entry requirements, for British citizens (updated 31 August 2026); US Department of State: South Africa travel information, for US citizens (guidance issued 11 August 2025)
What documents do children need to travel to South Africa?
Under the Home Affairs advisory in force since November 2019, a child of a visa-exempt nationality needs only a valid passport, whether travelling with both parents, one parent or another adult.
Children travelling alone, of any nationality, must carry a birth certificate, consent letters from their parents, copies of the parents' identity documents and a letter from the person receiving them in South Africa. Children who need a visa submit these documents with the visa application. Consent letters must be less than six months old, and no documents are needed for children in direct airport transit.
Source: Department of Home Affairs: updated advisory on requirements for children (revised November 2019)
When do I need a yellow fever certificate for South Africa?
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged one year or older arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, or who spent more than 12 hours in transit at an airport in one. South Africa's list includes Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, so a trip combining East Africa with South Africa needs one. Zambia and Tanzania are not on the list.
The vaccination must be given at least 10 days before travel. Travellers without a valid certificate can be refused entry or quarantined for up to six days.
Sources: South African High Commission: yellow fever requirements (modified 23 December 2025); World Health Organization: country list of vaccination requirements (revised 3 January 2023)
What is South Africa's online traveller declaration?
Since 1 July 2026 everyone entering or leaving South Africa by air, land, sea or rail must submit an online traveller declaration to the South African Revenue Service, no more than 24 hours before the final leg of the journey. Airside transit passengers are excluded, and a parent can submit on a child's behalf.
SARS states that a traveller will not be refused entry solely for not having completed a declaration in advance.
Source: South African Revenue Service: FAQs on online traveller declarations from 1 July 2026 (updated 3 July 2026)
Are there cash or drone rules for visitors to South Africa?
SARS allows up to R100,000 in local or foreign currency to be carried in or out without prior approval. The UK and US government pages still quote a lower figure of R25,000, so declare any amount near either figure.
Drones are prohibited in all of South Africa's national parks, including Kruger, whatever the purpose.
Fees were correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without notice.
Sources: South African Revenue Service: FAQs on online traveller declarations (updated 3 July 2026); UK government (FCDO): South Africa entry requirements, for British citizens (updated 31 August 2026); SANParks: prohibition of drones in the Kruger National Park (20 February 2018)
Where this sits in planning a trip
Entry requirements are the traveller’s responsibility, but they shape an itinerary — a routing through a third country can change what is needed, and documents for children can take weeks to obtain. Famous Africa raises them early when planning rather than leaving them to the week before departure.