PassportSouth Africa

Japan: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Japan. You can stay up to 90 days per visit.

Visa required. South Africa is not on Japan's visa exemption list. Tourists can apply online for a JAPAN eVISA (evisa.mofa.go.jp); for business, visiting relatives or other purposes a paper visa from the Embassy in Pretoria or Consulate-General in Cape Town is required.123

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

eVISA is for tourism only. Business, academic activities, visiting relatives/friends and other short-term purposes require a paper temporary visitor's visa from the Embassy or Consulate-General.23

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

Japan does not set a fixed extra validity period; passport must be valid for the whole stay with a blank page for the landing stamp. eVISA only available to ordinary passport holders; the Embassy does not accept temporary passports.2367

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

Tourism: apply online at the official JAPAN eVISA site evisa.mofa.go.jp (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). South African nationals and residents of South Africa can apply directly; no accredited agency required. Single entry, up to 90 days. At the airport the 'Visa issuance notice' must be displayed live online; PDF, screenshot or printout is not accepted. Other purposes: paper application at the Embassy (Pretoria) or Consulate-General (Cape Town); fee R360 single entry / R715 multiple entry (cash, paid at collection, per Cape Town consulate page); processing from 2 working days (Embassy) / minimum average 3 working days (Cape Town). eVISA fee and processing time not stated on the MOFA page.234

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Online (eVISA) for tourism. Paper visas: Embassy of Japan in Pretoria, or Consulate-General of Japan in Cape Town (no appointment needed in Cape Town; weekdays 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-16:00). Japan VISA Call Center 0800 060 109.34

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Not required for tourism eVISA per pages checked; visiting relatives/business needs paper visa with supporting documents.3

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

No vaccinations required for entry. Japan is not a yellow-fever-risk country, so no SA yellow fever certificate issue on return.7

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Visit Japan Web (official Digital Agency service, services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/, app at vjw-lp.digital.go.jp) handles immigration and customs arrival procedures online and generates QR codes; recommended, paper forms still available on arrival. All foreigners are fingerprinted and photographed on arrival. Cash or equivalents of JPY 1,000,000 or more must be declared.57

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Extending your stay and overstaying

Extensions possible at Immigration Services Agency regional offices in limited circumstances. Overstaying risks arrest, detention, fines and deportation.6

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

31 December 2028Announced: JESTA electronic travel authorization to launch by end of FY2028. It applies only to visa-exempt nationalities, so it will NOT replace the visa requirement for South Africans.
27 March 2023South Africa added to JAPAN eVISA eligible countries (tourism, single entry, up to 90 days).

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (visa exemption list, updated 2025-09-01) mofa.go.jp
  2. 2Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (JAPAN eVISA) mofa.go.jp
  3. 3Embassy of Japan in South Africa za.emb-japan.go.jp
  4. 4Consulate-General of Japan in Cape Town (via Embassy site) za.emb-japan.go.jp
  5. 5Digital Agency of Japan services.digital.go.jp

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 6UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 7US Department of State travel.state.gov

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.