visa exempt

1.   The citizens of the foreign countries listed in the relevant items of this schedule are not required to hold a visa in order to report for an examination to a port of entry, subject to the terms and conditions set out in this schedule, including inter – alia the intended period of stay in the Republic.

2. The holders of passports of the following passports do not require visas to enter South Africa:

  • Australia;
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
  • British Islands of Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey. Isle of Man and Virgin Island;
  • Republic of Ireland;
  • British Overseas territories do not require visa.

Nationals of the following countries need a visa to enter South Africa: British Dependent Territories including Anquilla, Bermuda, British Antartic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Island, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Cucie and Oeno Islands, Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

3. The passport holders of the following countries are not required to hold a visa in respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued for an intended stay of 90 days and when in transit:

  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Ecuador
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Iceland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Liechtenstein
  • Luxemburg
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Paraguay
  • Portugal
  • San Merino
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan (Republic of China)
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela
  • United States of America

4. The nationals of the following countries do not need a visa for purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued for an intended stay of 30 days or less and when in transit:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bolivia
  • Cape Verde
  • Costa Rica
  • Cyprus (Provided that a diplomatic and official passport holders are exempt for an up to 90 day stay)
  • Gabon
  • Guyana
  • Hong Kong (Only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British Nationals Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports.
  • Hungary (Provided that diplomatic and official passport holders are exempt for an up to 120 day stay)
  • Jordan
  • Lesotho
  • Macau (Only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR)
  • Malaysia
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Mauritius
  • Namibia
  • Poland
  • Peru
  • Seychelles
  • Slovak Republic
  • South Korea;
  • Swaziland;
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Zambia;
  • Zimbabwe (Only in respect of government officials, including police on cross border investigation)

5. Holders of diplomatic and official passports of the following countries do not require visas in respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued for an intended stay of 90 days or less and transit:

  • Egypt
  • Malta
  • Morocco
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • Slovenia;
  • Tunisia

6. Notwithstanding this schedule, a foreigner whose visa exemptions have been withdrawn shall comply with visa requirements until notified by the Department that his or her visa exemption has been re-instituted by the Department on petition or of its own accord.

7. Visas are not required for passport holders of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Malawi who are entering the Republic as commercial or heavy duty vehicle drivers provided their visits do not exceed 15 days and on condition that they can produce a letter confirming their employment with a transport company on entry.

8. Staff members of the South African Development Community (SADC) who travel on SADC laissez passer are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide official business visits of up to 90 days and transit.

9. Holders of United Nations’ laissez passer are exempt from visa requirements when visiting the Republic for period not exceeding 90 days for purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued, and for official business purposes and transits when accredited for placement at a UN mission in the Republic for the duration of their accreditation. Volunteers attached to the UN agencies and traveling on ordinary passports are exempt from visa requirements, provided that they are in possession of the relevant letters or identification documents to identify themselves at ports of entry as personnel of a UN agency.