Travelling the world has become increasingly accessible for South African passport holders, with numerous countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry.
These arrangements eliminate the need for lengthy pre-travel visa applications, making spontaneous trips and hassle-free travel a reality.
For visa-free travel, South Africans can enter certain destinations without requiring a visa for a specific period, often for tourism or business purposes.
For countries offering visa-on-arrival, travellers receive a visa upon reaching the immigration checkpoint of the destination, after completing the necessary paperwork and paying the required fee.
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Here’s an updated guide to the destinations South Africans can explore with ease in 2025.
Visa-free destinations for South Africans
South African passport holders can travel visa-free to 74 countries, according to the latest data from the Department of Home Affairs.
These include:
Africa
- Botswana
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Europe
- Ireland
- Kosovo
- Russia
- Serbia
Asia
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
North & South America
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Jamaica
- Panama
Oceania
- Fiji
- Micronesia
- Vanuatu
This list highlights just a fraction of visa-free countries available to South Africans.
The duration of visa-free stays varies by destination, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days.
What is visa-on-arrival, and how does it work?
Visa-on-arrival allows travellers to obtain a visa upon reaching the immigration checkpoint of their destination.
This is an alternative to pre-travel visa applications and is usually straightforward, requiring travellers to:
- Complete an immigration form.
- Present necessary documents (e.g., passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation).
- Pay the visa fee.
The visa granted typically allows for short stays, often up to 30 days.
Visa-on-arrival countries for South Africans
South Africans can obtain a visa on arrival in 33 countries, including:
Africa
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Nigeria
- Senegal
Asia
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Qatar
- Sri Lanka
Oceania
- Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Tuvalu
Visa-on-arrival offers convenience for travellers, but it’s essential to check entry requirements and fees ahead of time, as they vary across destinations.
Whether visa-free or visa-on-arrival, these destinations open up a world of opportunity for South African travellers in 2025.
As always, it’s advisable to verify entry requirements with relevant embassies or official immigration sites to ensure a smooth travel experience.
