Venezuela: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Venezuela. You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Probably visa-free for tourism (up to 90 days) per the GSA and Wikipedia's South African requirements table. But South Africa is NOT in the visa-exempt list on Wikipedia's Venezuela visa policy page, and no Venezuelan official source could be reached. Treat as unconfirmed and check with the Embassy of Venezuela in Pretoria before travel.2 7 1

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism only. FCDO says work, NGO work, journalism, volunteering and study need visas in advance.3 1

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Passport validity

FCDO: at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date.3

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

If visa-free: a tourist card is issued on arrival by air. FCDO says land and sea arrivals may need a visa in advance. If a visa is needed, Venezuela runs e-visas through mppre.gob.ve (Cancillería Digital).3 1

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Embassy of Venezuela in Pretoria (its website did not resolve). Details not verified.

Not yet confirmed by an official source

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

Venezuela: FCDO says a yellow fever certificate is required when entering from Brazil. WHO lists no general certificate requirement and recommends vaccination for most areas. 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; Venezuela 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.3 8 9 10

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Tourist card issued on arrival by air (FCDO).3

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Extending your stay and overstaying

One extension of up to 90 days is possible via SAIME (per Wikipedia). Not confirmed officially.7

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

FCDO: children travelling unaccompanied, with a guardian or with one parent need a travel permit from the non-travelling parent(s).3

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

What changed

2 September 2026FCDO advises against all travel to border areas, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro and Zulia, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Venezuela.

27 June 2026US State Department: Level 3 'Reconsider travel', 'Do not travel' to 7 regions; US Embassy Caracas providing emergency services only.

24 June 2026Magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes; flights disrupted. Caracas airport operations resumed 1 Sep 2026 (FCDO).

3 January 2026Venezuelan authorities declared a 'state of external commotion' after air strikes across the country (FCDO).

Sources

Other government

Official advice from other governments

3UK FCDO: Venezuela entry requirements gov.uk
6US Department of State: Venezuela Travel Advisory (27 Jun 2026) travel.state.gov
8DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za
9South African National Department of Health health.gov.za
10World Health Organization, International Travel and Health country list cdn.who.int

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

2Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
7Wikipedia: Visa policy of Venezuela en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

1The GSA (SA visa service), Venezuela guide thegsa.co.za

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