PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Bosnia and Herzegovina

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply for a visa before travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Permitted stay

Under the reported visa-holder exemption: up to 30 days, within 90 days in 6 months. On a Bosnian visa: as issued.

Before you go

  • Passport validity

    A visa is issued only if the passport is valid at least 3 months beyond the visa's expiry (Service for Foreigners' Affairs).

  • How to apply

    Apply at a Bosnia and Herzegovina embassy or consulate before travel. Fee and processing time not published in sources checked.

  • Where South Africans apply

    No Bosnia and Herzegovina mission in South Africa. GSA directs South Africans to the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in London (5-7 Lexham Gardens, London W8 5JJ, tel +44 20 7373 0915, embassy@bhembassy.co.uk). Confirm the competent mission before applying.

  • Proof of funds

    Foreigners must show at least BAM (KM) 150 per day of intended stay, or the equivalent in a convertible foreign currency.

  • Accommodation or invitation

    All foreigners must register with the police within 72 hours of arrival; hotels and hostels usually do it (UK FCDO).

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    Bosnia and Herzegovina publishes no yellow fever rule for South Africans in the sources checked. It is not a yellow fever risk country, so no certificate is needed to return to South Africa from there, unless you transited a risk country.

  • Arrival forms

    Border guards check entry and exit stamps; missing stamps can lead to fines on departure (UK FCDO).

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    Stays over 90 days need a residence permit (UK FCDO).

  • Travelling with children

    UK FCDO: children under 18 travelling without both parents need a notarised letter of parental permission.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Research sources

  1. 1. Service for Foreigners' Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina (page modified 2026-04-11) (Official, sps.gov.ba) https://sps.gov.ba/informacije-za-strance/ulazak-stranaca-u-bih/
  2. 2. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bosnia-and-herzegovina/entry-requirements
  3. 3. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina
  4. 4. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  5. 5. The GSA (South African visa agency) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2704-bosnia-and-herzegovina-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/bosnia-and-herzegovina. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.