PassportSouth Africa

Mozambique: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Mozambique. You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Visa-free under the bilateral exemption. The official portal evisa.gov.mz lists 'South Africa - Ordinary passport - 30 Days - Tourist & Business' in its Visa Exempt table; South Africa is not in the separate ETA list (which covers e.g. UK, US, EU states). Visa-exempt travellers meeting the table's criteria do not need an ETA.1

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism and business only. Other purposes (work, study, investment) need the relevant visa via evisa.gov.mz or a Mozambican mission.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

At least 6 months beyond arrival (portal FAQ general requirement; FCDO) with at least 2 blank pages for stamps (FCDO).34

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

No application for tourism/business up to 30 days. If staying longer or for another purpose, apply for an e-visa on the official portal evisa.gov.mz (tourist e-visa fees reported as MZN 6,250 for 30 days, 12,504 for 60, 18,756.25 for 90; standard processing about 5 business days after payment).132

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

For visas beyond the exemption: online at evisa.gov.mz, or High Commission of Mozambique in Pretoria / consulates in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Nelspruit (Mbombela). Mission list not verified on a Mozambican government page.

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Border control may ask for a return or onward ticket (FCDO, applies to visitors generally).4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Proof of funds

General requirement to 'possess guarantees of means of subsistence' (portal FAQ, stated for visa applicants); no amount published.3

Confirmed on an official government source

Accommodation or invitation

Border control may ask for a written invitation from your host or a confirmed accommodation reservation (FCDO).4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Mozambique: yellow fever certificate required if coming from a yellow-fever transmission-risk country (FCDO); not required from South Africa. Mozambique is not on South Africa's yellow fever risk list, so no certificate needed on return to SA.45

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

No pre-arrival registration for visa-exempt South Africans per the portal. Declare cash of MZN 10,000 or more, or foreign currency/travellers' cheques worth USD 5,000 or more.14

Confirmed on an official government source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published for exempt travellers in sources checked; a 30-day extension is reported for ETA holders (Wikipedia). Apply to SENAMI (immigration) in Mozambique before expiry. Overstay fines not published in sources checked.2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Transit

Visa-exempt, so no transit visa needed.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Travelling with children

Children under 18 need an unabridged birth certificate listing both parents; if travelling with one parent or alone, a notarised parental consent affidavit issued within the last 3 months (FCDO, applies to all foreigners). South Africa's own departure rules for minors also apply.4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

What changed

1 May 2023Mozambique introduced a 30-day visa waiver with ETA for 29 mostly Western/Asian nationalities. Does not apply to South Africans, who keep their bilateral exemption (30 days). Outside the 12-month window; listed for context because the ETA is often wrongly applied to South Africans.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Republic of Mozambique, official eVisa portal (SENAMI) evisa.gov.mz
  2. 3Republic of Mozambique, official eVisa portal FAQ evisa.gov.mz

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 4UK FCDO (updated 2026-07-09) gov.uk
  2. 5DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra dirco.gov.za

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 2Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

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