PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Central African Republic

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

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply for a visa before travel to the Central African Republic.

Permitted stay

Visas issued for 1 or 3 months.

Before you go

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months, with 3 blank pages.

  • How to apply

    At the embassy, by appointment. Fees: transit/single 1 month R750; short stay 1 month R1,000 single / R1,500 multiple; 3 months R1,500 single / R1,750 multiple; express double. About 5 working days (express 3).

  • Where South Africans apply

    Embassy of the Central African Republic, 209 Eastwood St, Arcadia, Pretoria (appointment required).

  • Travel insurance

    Proof of travel/health insurance is required for the visa application.

  • Return or onward ticket

    Flight reservation required.

  • Proof of funds

    Proof of sufficient funds required.

  • Accommodation or invitation

    Letter of invitation and hotel proof required.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    CAR: yellow fever certificate REQUIRED for entry. RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA: the Central African Republic is on South Africa's yellow fever risk-country list. South African Department of Health / DIRCO rules require every traveller over 1 year old (South Africans included) arriving from a risk country, or transiting a risk-country airport for more than 12 hours, to show a valid yellow fever certificate (vaccine at least 10 days before departure; certificates are valid for life). Without one you may be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Research sources

  1. 1. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/central-african-republic/entry-requirements
  2. 2. National Department of Health, South Africa (Other government, health.gov.za) https://www.health.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Protocols-for-Travellers.pdf
  3. 3. DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/
  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/2575-central-african-republic-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/central-african-republic. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.