PassportSouth Africa

Georgia: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Georgia. You can stay up to 365 days per visit.

Visa-free. Republic of South Africa is item 68 on the annex to Government of Georgia Ordinance No. 255 (5 June 2015), the list of countries whose citizens may enter Georgia without a visa.12

Georgia requires travel insurance from every touristSince 1 January 2026, all foreign tourists in Georgia must hold health and accident insurance for the whole stay, with at least GEL 30,000 of cover. Border officers can refuse entry without it. South Africans can still stay visa-free for up to a year. Source: travel.state.gov, nomosgeorgia.com, georgiatoday.ge

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism and other short visits. Visa-free stay does not authorise employment; work or long-term residence requires the appropriate visa or residence permit.3

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

Valid for the period of stay; at least one blank page for the entry stamp. No published six-month rule for visa-free entrants.46

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

No application needed for visa-free entry. If a visa is ever needed (e.g. a longer purpose-specific stay), the only official e-visa portal is https://www.evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa/ (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia); it charges a separate USD 15 'DuVerify' fee per applicant.15

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Not needed for visa-free stays. Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of South Africa, 270A Carina Street, Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria; +27 12 346 1831; pretoria.con@mfa.gov.ge.7

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Mandatory since 1 January 2026 for all foreign tourists, including visa-free South Africans. Health and accident insurance covering the whole stay (from entry to departure, up to one year), minimum insured sum GEL 30,000, policy in Georgian or English, paper or electronic. Border officers may check it and refuse entry without it. Legal basis reported as Article 12 of the Law of Georgia on Tourism and Government Decree No. 602 of 26 December 2025. Some reports also cite a GEL 5,000 outpatient sub-limit; this is not confirmed.49810

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published as a formal requirement for visa-free entrants. Cash or equivalent above GEL 30,000 must be declared on entry and exit.4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

None required by Georgia. Georgia is not a yellow-fever risk country, so South Africa's yellow-fever certificate rule does not apply on return.4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

No arrival card or electronic arrival form. Carry the insurance policy for inspection.48

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Visa-free regime covers transit.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Travelling with children

Insurance requirement applies to every tourist including children (each needs their own cover). No Georgian-specific minor consent rule found; South Africa's own exit rules for travelling minors still apply.11

Not yet confirmed by an official source

What changed

24 February 2026Ordinance No. 255 amended (Ordinance No. 80). Content of the amendment not visible in the free matsne.gov.ge view; South Africa was still listed in the versions we could read. Re-check.
1 January 2026Mandatory health and accident insurance (minimum GEL 30,000, whole stay) for all foreign tourists, under Decree No. 602 of 26 December 2025.
2025-04Tightened entry for 17 nationalities relying on Gulf visas/permits (permit must be valid 1 year). South Africa not affected.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (Ordinance No. 255, English text) gc-pfiles.mfa.gov.ge
  2. 2Legislative Herald of Georgia (matsne.gov.ge) matsne.gov.ge
  3. 5Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia e-Visa portal evisa.gov.ge
  4. 7Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of South Africa rsa.mfa.gov.ge

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 4US Department of State travel.state.gov

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 3Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 6Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 9Nomos Georgia (law firm) nomosgeorgia.com
  2. 11Georgian Insurance (commercial) georgianinsurance.ge

News and guides

Leads we check, never the answer

  1. 8Georgia Today georgiatoday.ge
  2. 10Georgia Today georgiatoday.ge

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.