Serbia: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Serbia. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Visa required for ordinary South African passports (MFA visa regime page for South Africa). Visa can be applied for online (eVisa via welcometoserbia.gov.rs, issued electronically as a digital travel authorisation since 23 April 2025) or at a Serbian embassy. Exemption: South Africans holding a valid Schengen, UK, EU member state or US visa, or a residence permit of a Schengen/EU state or the USA, can enter, transit and stay visa-free for up to 90 days in 6 months.1 2

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism, business, private visits (type C). Long-stay type D for 90-180 days.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

Passport valid at least 90 days beyond intended departure, at least 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years (visa applicants).2

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

Online at welcometoserbia.gov.rs (official Government of Serbia portal), which requires registering on the Serbian e-ID portal (eid.gov.rs); or in person at the Embassy of Serbia in Pretoria. Since 23 April 2025 visas can be issued as an electronic Digital Travel Authorisation. Fee and processing time not published on the MFA pages opened; ask the embassy.2 3

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, 163 Marais Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria 0181; tel +27 12 460 5626, +27 12 460 6103; info@srbembassy.org.za. Or online via welcometoserbia.gov.rs.4

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

For visa applicants: valid travel medical insurance required. For all visitors, MFA recommends cover of at least EUR 20,000.2 5

Confirmed on an official government source

Return or onward ticket

Border officers may ask for flight tickets, hotel bookings or invitation letters.5

Confirmed on an official government source

Proof of funds

EUR 50 per day of stay (cash, bank statement, etc.).5

Confirmed on an official government source

Accommodation or invitation

Visa applications need an invitation letter (private, business or tourist agency voucher) depending on purpose; at the border, hotel booking or invitation may be requested.2 5

Confirmed on an official government source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

None routinely required; MFA notes a vaccination certificate may be required if arriving from a pandemic-affected area per Ministry of Health. Not a yellow fever risk country.5

Confirmed on an official government source

Arrival forms

No arrival card, but foreigners must register their stay with the police within 24 hours of arrival (hotels and paid accommodation register guests; if staying privately, the host and the visitor must register).6

Confirmed on an official government source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Holders of a valid Schengen/UK/EU/US visa or residence permit may transit visa-free. Transit visa applicants must hold the entry visa for the next country. Airport transit rule for South Africans not stated.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Travelling with children

Foreign minors do not need parental consent to enter Serbia (consent rules apply to Serbian minors). South Africa's own exit rules for minors apply.5

Confirmed on an official government source

What changed

23 April 2025Serbia began issuing visas in electronic form (Digital Travel Authorisation) alongside visa stickers.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

1Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia mfa.gov.rs
2Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia mfa.gov.rs
3Government of the Republic of Serbia welcometoserbia.gov.rs
4Embassy of Serbia in Pretoria pretoria.mfa.gov.rs
5Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia mfa.gov.rs
6Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia mfa.gov.rs

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