Paraguay: do South Africans need a visa?
South Africans don't need a visa for Paraguay. You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.
Visa-free under a bilateral agreement abolishing visas for ordinary passports between South Africa and Paraguay (in force 19 July 2004, per Paraguay's treaty register as cited by Wikipedia). Paraguay's official visa list (migraciones.gov.py) could not be reached.278
Before you travel
Purpose of visit
Tourism (and short visits under the agreement).2
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Passport validity
FCDO: valid for the duration of stay.1
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
How to apply
No visa needed. Make sure you get an entry stamp, especially at land borders such as Ciudad del Este (Iguazú), or you will be fined on exit.1
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Where South Africans apply
Not published by official sources
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 published by official sources
Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa
Paraguay REQUIRES a yellow fever certificate from travellers over 1 year arriving from risk countries (WHO; FCDO). WHO recommends vaccination except for Asunción. South Africa's own rule on return: South Africa requires a valid yellow fever certificate from all travellers over 1 year of age, South African citizens included, arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one; Paraguay is on South Africa's risk list. Without it you can be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days. The certificate is valid for life and only counts 10 days after vaccination.1456
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Arrival forms
Cash of US$10,000 or more must be declared.1
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Extending your stay and overstaying
Extension of 90 days through Migraciones. A missing entry stamp means a fine on departure.1
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Transit
Not published by official sources
Travelling with children
FCDO: 'Permiso del Menor' rules apply to children resident in Paraguay.1
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Sources
Other government
Official advice from other governments
- 1UK FCDO gov.uk
- 4DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za
- 5South African National Department of Health health.gov.za
- 6World Health Organization, International Travel and Health country list cdn.who.int
Reference
Used to find official sources, never the final word
Commercial
Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies
- 8The GSA (SA visa service), Paraguay guide thegsa.co.za
Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.