Subject to change without notice

Passport holders who are exempt from visas from South Africa

• African Union laissez-passer

• Andorra

• Argentina

• Australia

• Austria

• Belgium

• Botswana

• Brazil

• Canada

• Chile

• Czech Republic

• Denmark

• Ecuador

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Iceland

• Israel

• Italy

• Jamaica

• Japan

• Liechtenstein

• Luxembourg

• Malta

• Monaco

• Netherlands

• New Zealand

• Norway

• Paraguay

• Portugal

• San Marino

• Singapore

• Spain

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, British Islands, Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man and Virgin Islands

• Republic of Ireland

• British Overseas Territories who are in possession of British passports 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 on Cyprus South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the Turks and Caicos Island.

• Uruguay

• Venezuela

• United States of America

4. Agreements have also been concluded with the following countries for holders of diplomatic and official passport holders.

Citizens who are holders of diplomatic, official and service passports of the following countries do not require visas in respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic and official visit] for the period indicated and transit

Notwithstanding this Schedule, a foreigner whose visa exemption has been withdrawn shall comply with the visa requirements until notified by the Department that his or her visa exemption has been reinstated by the Department on petition or of its own accord.

Visas are not required by passport holders of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Malawi who are entering the Republic as commercial 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.

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

The following categories of the UN as well as their spouses, dependent relatives and other members of the households are exempt from visa requirements when visiting the Republic for periods not exceeding 90 days for purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued, and for official business purposes and transits and when accredited for placement at a UN mission in the Republic for the duration of their accreditation, provided they are in possession of the relevant letters or identification documents to identify themselves at ports of entry as personnel of a UN agency.

• Holders of United Nations Laissez-passers

• Volunteers attached to the UN

• Persons involved in any United Nations agency

• Persons performing services on behalf of the UN

Members of military forces attending any military related matters with the South African National Defence Force are exempt from visa and study permit requirements, irrespective of their duration of stay provided they are in possession of letters of invitation from the SANDF as well as letters of consent from the military force of which they are members. They are also permitted to enter the country without passports.

Last Revised: Wednesday, March 11, 2009