PassportSouth Africa

Libya: do South Africans need a visa?

We're still confirming this with official sourcesHere's what we've found so far, but check with the embassy before you rely on it.

Not yet confirmed: Apply online (e-visa)

Visa required before travel. Libya runs an e-Visa system at evisa.gov.ly (launched 21 March 2024), but every tourist needs a Libyan tour operator or local sponsor, and some nationalities must apply through an embassy instead. Whether South Africans can use the e-Visa could not be confirmed on an official page.34

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Independent tourism is generally not allowed. Tourists must travel with a licensed tour operator, with a tourist police escort, or be sponsored locally (a sponsored visitor also needs a security letter from the Libyan immigration authorities). Business visas need company sponsorship and can take weeks or months.24

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

Valid for the whole stay, with at least one blank page per entry stamp. Passports with Israeli stamps are refused. Many airlines and operators ask for 6 months; check with your tour operator.12

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

Through the official e-Visa portal https://evisa.gov.ly, normally lodged by your Libyan tour operator or sponsor. Reported tourist e-Visa fee: USD 63. Without a tour operator or sponsor an e-Visa is not granted. The UK FCDO notes that a Libyan visa issued overseas may not be recognised in some areas or at some ports of entry because of the political split. The portal could not be opened to confirm eligibility, fee or processing time.14

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Where South Africans apply

Through a Libyan tour operator or sponsor via evisa.gov.ly, or the Embassy of Libya in Pretoria if South Africans are not e-Visa eligible. Embassy visa service not confirmed.46

Not yet confirmed by an official 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

A tour operator booking or local sponsor is required. A sponsored visitor also needs a security letter from the Libyan immigration authorities.4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Libya does not require any vaccination for entry per the US State Department. Libya is not on South Africa's yellow fever risk list, so no certificate is needed to return to SA (unless you transited a risk country for more than 12 hours).27

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Not published by official sources

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

21 July 2026UK FCDO travel advice updated: against all travel to Libya except Tripoli, Benghazi, Al-Bayda and Derna, where it advises against all but essential travel.
8 June 2026Libya made Malaysians visa-exempt for 30 days (Wikipedia); shows the policy is still changing. No change for South Africans found.

Sources

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 1UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office gov.uk
  2. 2US Department of State travel.state.gov
  3. 7DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra dirco.gov.za

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 3Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 4Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. 6Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

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