Suriname: do South Africans need a visa?
South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Suriname. You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.
e-Visa required. Since 1 May 2023 Suriname has required a visa from nationals of 21 countries, including South Africa. South Africa appears on the official VFS portal's 'eVisa Country List' (Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia). The same portal also lists South Africa in the Entry Fee country list, so get the e-visa to be safe.1251011
Before you travel
Purpose of visit
Tourism, business, transit, short stay.1
Confirmed on an official government source
Passport validity
FCDO: at least 6 months from arrival.4
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
How to apply
Apply online at suriname.vfsevisa.com, the official partner linked from gov.sr. Pay online. The FAQ says visas can be issued within 72 hours of payment. e-Visa fee amounts were not visible on the pages fetched (the fees page blocked automated access). For comparison, the entry fee for visa-exempt nationals is about US$50-54. Look-alike 'Suriname e-visa' domains exist; use only suriname.vfsevisa.com.1243
Confirmed on an official government source
Where South Africans apply
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
Suriname REQUIRES a yellow fever certificate from travellers over 1 year arriving from risk countries (WHO; FCDO). WHO recommends vaccination for travel in Suriname. 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; Suriname 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.4789
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Arrival forms
FCDO: all travellers to and from Suriname must complete an online Immigration and Customs Form (ICF) within 3 days of travel.4
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Extending your stay and overstaying
Not published by official sources
Transit
The e-visa covers transit. Whether airside transit needs a visa is not published.1
Confirmed on an official government source
Travelling with children
Not published by official sources
What changed
Sources
Official
The destination's own government
Other government
Official advice from other governments
- 4UK FCDO gov.uk
- 7DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za
- 8South African National Department of Health health.gov.za
- 9World Health Organization, International Travel and Health country list cdn.who.int
Reference
Used to find official sources, never the final word
- 5Wikipedia: Visa policy of Suriname en.wikipedia.org
- 10Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Commercial
Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies
- 3VFS Global Suriname eVisa FAQ suriname.vfsevisa.com
- 11The GSA (SA visa service), Suriname guide ('Visas are required for SA passport holders') thegsa.co.za
Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.