PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Eswatini

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

Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for Eswatini.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourism and business visits up to 30 days.

  • Passport validity

    UK FCDO: at least 3 months beyond arrival with 2 blank pages, plus 2 extra blank pages if you transit SA. Make sure the passport is stamped with the correct date; a missing or wrong stamp can lead to a re-entry ban of up to one year.

  • How to apply

    No visa needed, no e-visa or pre-registration. The passport is stamped at the border.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Not applicable. Extensions: Ministry of Home Affairs, Mbabane. Eswatini High Commission in Pretoria for longer stays.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    Eswatini: yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a transmission-risk country. Not a risk country itself, so no certificate is needed to return to SA.

  • Arrival forms

    Gate pass/arrival details are completed at the border post. FCDO notes health forms may be requested. Self-drivers: SA-registered vehicles pay a road fund levy (FCDO cites E150 for cars and about E80 for motorcycles; check the current rate). Carry proof of payment. Currency limit E15,000 (US State Dept).

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    One 30-day extension at the Ministry of Home Affairs. After 60 days, a Temporary Residence Permit is needed. Overstay fines are not published.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Eswatini Tourism Authority (Official, thekingdomofeswatini.com) https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/visa-guide/
  2. 2. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/eswatini/entry-requirements
  3. 3. US Department of State (Other government, travel.state.gov) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Eswatini.html
  4. 4. DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/
  5. 5. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens

From doineedavisa.co.za/eswatini. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.