PassportSouth Africa

Ukraine: do South Africans need a visa?

Travel not advisedOther governments advise against travel here at the moment. Why

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Ukraine. You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Visa required. South Africans can apply online for an e-visa at evisa.mfa.gov.ua, or for a regular visa through VFS Global or the Embassy of Ukraine in Pretoria. Ukraine resumed issuing e-visas on 19 February 2025 after suspending them in 2022.234

Travel advice

Travel not advised

The UK advises against all travel to most of Ukraine and against all but essential travel to the western regions. The US rates it Level 4, do not travel.

We show UK and US government advice because they publish detailed, regularly updated assessments. Checked 5 October 2026.

Read the full advice: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · US Department of State

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

E-visa is for tourism, business and private visits. Work, study and long stays need a regular visa.4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Passport validity

Not published by official sources

How to apply

Apply at the official portal evisa.mfa.gov.ua no earlier than 3 months and no later than 10 working days before the visit. E-visa fees reported: USD 20 single entry, USD 30 double entry, decision within 3 working days; urgent at double the fee within 1 working day. Regular short-stay visa through VFS reported at ZAR 1,170 plus ZAR 434 service fee, about 10 working days.134

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Online at evisa.mfa.gov.ua. For a regular visa, VFS Global centres in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban, or the Embassy of Ukraine in Pretoria (tel 012 460 1943).4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Reported as mandatory for visa applicants: medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover (GSA). Not confirmed at tier 1.4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Reported at UAH 784 per day (GSA). UK FCDO says border officers may ask for proof of funds (cash, bank cards, bookings, tickets).54

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Accommodation or invitation

Not published by official sources

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Ukraine publishes no yellow fever rule for South Africans in the sources checked. Ukraine is not a yellow fever risk country, so no certificate is needed to return to South Africa from Ukraine, unless you transited a risk country.

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Immigration card at the border and fingerprints if asked (UK FCDO, applies at entry).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

What changed

15 September 2026UK FCDO advises against all travel to most of Ukraine and essential travel only to the western regions. Airspace closed to commercial flights.
28 August 2026US State Department Level 4: Do not travel.
19 February 2025Ukraine resumed issuing e-visas, suspended since the 2022 invasion.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (e-Visa portal) evisa.mfa.gov.ua

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 5UK FCDO gov.uk

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 2Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 3Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 4The GSA (South African visa agency) thegsa.co.za

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.