PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Ukraine

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Ukraine.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

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

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • Travel insurance

    Reported as mandatory for visa applicants: medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover (GSA). Not confirmed at tier 1.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • Arrival forms

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

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (e-Visa portal) (Official, evisa.mfa.gov.ua) https://evisa.mfa.gov.ua/
  2. 2. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine/entry-requirements
  3. 3. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  4. 4. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Ukraine
  5. 5. The GSA (South African visa agency) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2677-ukraine-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/ukraine. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.