PassportSouth Africa

Senegal: 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: Visa on arrival

Wikipedia's list for South Africans gives visa on arrival. Senegal's visa on arrival is only at Dakar airport, not at land borders. This has not been confirmed by a Senegalese government source; Wikipedia's Senegal visa policy page does not name South Africa in any list.12

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Not published by official sources

Passport validity

At least 6 months beyond arrival. Wikipedia states this for visa on arrival; UK advice says the same for UK visitors.32

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

If visa on arrival applies, arrive by air at Dakar (Blaise Diagne International Airport) with a passport valid 6 months, a return air ticket and proof of accommodation. Fee not published. No official Senegal e-visa portal was confirmed.2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Where South Africans apply

On arrival at Dakar airport, if eligible. Otherwise the tourist visa is issued by Senegalese diplomatic missions; the mission covering South Africa (Embassy of Senegal in Pretoria) was not confirmed.2

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

A return air ticket is required for visa on arrival. UK advice also says to carry proof of return travel or risk being refused entry.32

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Proof of accommodation is required for visa on arrival, and UK advice says the same.32

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

SENEGAL: A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a yellow fever transmission risk country; infants under 9 months are excluded (UK advice). Arriving direct from South Africa this does not apply, but it does if you route via a risk country. SOUTH AFRICA: Senegal is on South Africa's yellow fever risk list. Everyone over 1 year old, South Africans included, returning to South Africa from Senegal, or after an airport transit of more than 12 hours there, must show a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in South Africa. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel; the certificate is valid for life.34

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Non-residents must declare currency over 1,000,000 CFA francs on entry (US advice).5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

Sources

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 3UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 4DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra dirco.gov.za
  3. 5US Department of State travel.state.gov

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 1Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 2Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

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