Visa-exempt countries need not apply for a visa.
Entry into a foreign country usually requires assessment and approval by the government of that country. However, immigration policy is based on several factors, and it may sometimes happen that a government decides to allow automatic entry to passport holders of certain identified countries. South Africa is no exception to this practice.
A government may determine that another country has a satisfactory reputation internationally, or that there is no significant history of problematic issues with its visiting citizens. The usual reasons for visits by citizens of that country may also be taken into account – a country that is the origin of many refugees may elicit a response at either extreme – either a total rejection of further immigration (such as Australia and the “boat people” who migrate there illegally, by sea, from Asian states) or a relaxing of requirements entirely (such as the de facto, if not officially prescribed, immigration practice of Home Affairs in South Africa when dealing with immigrants from Zimbabwe). A country that predominantly produces spending tourists is more likely to have more lenient visa requirements, or none at all.
Then there is security. If a country, such as the USA, has a relatively high and trusted level of domestic security, as well as strict enforcement of a sensible immigration policy, it is more likely to attract a waiver of visa requirements on its passport holders by other countries, as the passports of that country are not easy to obtain, and applying for one may involve equal or superior security procedures to those in use in the visited country. A USA passport holder can travel practically anywhere.
The integrity of domestic and immigration systems in a country is of importance in its international reputation and therefore how its citizens are treated when they travel beyond its borders. If other countries are not satisfied with the systems in use, they may implement stringent visa requirements or make immigration so hard that it is practically impossible for most people in that country. Sometimes, they may refuse the official documents issued in that country. As an example, some years ago the UK placed a moratorium on temporary South African passports, saying that they were too easy to obtain or falsify. Given the extensive history of migration and settlement between the two states, this was a striking yet important step.
At this time, South Africa allows passport-holders from certain countries to enter the country without a visa for a period of up to 90 days at a time. There are nearly 50 such states, and they are:
- African Union Laissez Passer
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile (only ordinary passport holders)
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Finland
- France
- Germany (except in diplomatic staff due to assume duty at the Embassy and Consulates of Germany in SA)
- Greece
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxemburg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Namibia (only ordinary passport holders)
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama (only ordinary passport holders)
- Paraguay
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Spain
- St Vincent & the Grenadines
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania (90 days per year)
- Trinidad & Tobago (only ordinary passport holders)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man. British Oversees Territories namely: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island, Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha), Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the Turks and Caicos Island.
- United States of America (except in diplomatic staff due to assume duty at the Embassy and Consulates of the USA in SA)
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Zambia (90 days per annum)
- Zimbabwe
Passport holders of the following countries may enter without a visa for only 30 days at a time:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas (only ordinary passport holders)
- Barbados
- Belize
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Cape Verde
- Costa Rica
- Cyprus
- Gabon
- Guyana
- Hong Kong [only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports]
- Hungary
- Jordan
- Lesotho
- Macau [only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR)]
- Malaysia
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Peru
- Poland
- Seychelles
- Slovak Republic
- South Korea
- Swaziland
- Thailand
- Turkey
Other countries are subject to a degree of exemption, but the time period allowed varies and should be confirmed with Home Affairs before arrival in South Africa.
The other notable instance of exemption concerns those countries who are members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). South African passport holders do not need visas to travel in these countries, and an SADC driver’s licence can be used universally as well within the Community states.
This information has been supplied by the Department of Home Affairs and was correct at the time of writing. This article is to be used as a guide only and does not constitute legal opinion. The reader should always confirm officially that they do not need a visa.
Never assume that you are exempt from visa requirements.
Never overstay the stated period for which you are allowed into the country.
For further information or specific advice, please contact us.
