You don't apply for anything before you travel. You show your passport at the border and get an entry stamp for the time allowed. The border official still decides whether to let you in, so carry the documents below.
Visa-free countries for South Africans
South African passport holders can visit 59 countries and territories without a visa. Here's how long you can stay in each, and who confirmed it.
Last checked 5 October 2026. Each country links to its full entry rules and official sources.
DestinationTravel adviceStayConfirmed by
AngolaTravel with caution30 daysOfficial source
Antigua and BarbudaNo warnings180 daysOther governments
ArgentinaNo warnings90 days +extOfficial source
BahamasNo warnings90 daysOfficial source
BarbadosNo warnings180 daysOther governments
BelarusTravel not advised30 daysOfficial source
BelizeNo warnings30 days +extOfficial source
BeninNo warnings30 days +extOther governments
BoliviaNo warnings90 days a yearOfficial source
BotswanaNo warnings90 days a yearOther governments
BrazilNo warnings90 days +extOfficial source
ChileNo warnings90 days +extOther governments
Costa RicaNo warnings180 daysOfficial source
DominicaNo warnings180 daysOther governments
Dominican RepublicNo warnings90 days +extOther governments
EcuadorNo warnings90 days a yearOfficial source
EswatiniNo warnings30 days +extOther governments
FijiNo warnings120 days +extOther governments
GabonNo warnings30 daysOther governments
GambiaNo warnings90 daysOfficial source
GeorgiaNo warnings365 daysOfficial source
GrenadaNo warnings90 daysOfficial source
GuatemalaNo warnings90 daysOther governments
GuyanaNo warnings30 days +extOfficial source
HaitiTravel not advised90 daysOther governments
HondurasTravel with caution90 daysOther governments
Hong KongNo warnings30 daysOfficial source
JamaicaNo warningsSee detailsOfficial source
KenyaNo warnings90 daysOfficial source
KiribatiNo warnings90 daysOther governments
LesothoNo warnings90 days +extOther governments
MacaoNo warnings30 daysOfficial source
MalawiNo warnings30 days +extOfficial source
MalaysiaNo warnings90 daysOfficial source
MauritiusNo warnings90 days +extOfficial source
MicronesiaNo warnings30 days +extOfficial source
MozambiqueNo warnings30 daysOfficial source
NamibiaNo warnings90 days a yearOfficial source
OmanNo warnings14 daysOfficial source
PanamaNo warnings90 daysOfficial source
ParaguayNo warnings90 days +extOther governments
PeruNo warnings183 daysOfficial source
PhilippinesTravel with caution30 days +extOfficial source
QatarTravel with caution30 days +extOfficial source
RussiaTravel not advised90 days a yearOther governments
Saint LuciaNo warnings42 days +extOther governments
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesNo warnings90 daysOther governments
SamoaNo warnings60 days +extOfficial source
SingaporeNo warnings30 days +extOfficial source
TanzaniaNo warnings90 days +extOfficial source
ThailandNo warnings30 daysOfficial source
TogoNo warnings30 daysOfficial source
Trinidad and TobagoNo warnings90 daysOther governments
TunisiaTravel with caution90 days +extOther governments
UruguayNo warnings90 days +extOfficial source
VanuatuNo warnings120 daysOfficial source
VenezuelaTravel not advised90 days +extOther governments
ZambiaNo warnings90 days a yearOfficial source
ZimbabweNo warnings90 days +extOfficial sourceStill being confirmed
Our research points this way, but we haven't confirmed it on an official source yet.
DestinationTravel adviceStayConfirmed by
El SalvadorNo warnings90 daysNot yet confirmed
NicaraguaTravel with caution90 daysNot yet confirmedBefore you go
What visa-free means
What to carry
A South African passport with enough validity left (many countries want at least six months beyond your stay, and some check for blank pages), a return or onward ticket, proof of where you're staying, and enough money for your trip. Each destination page lists that country's exact rules.
Know your limit
Stay limits are counted in different ways: per visit, per year, or within a rolling period. Overstaying can lead to fines, a ban on returning or detention. Visa-free entry is for tourism and short business visits; it doesn't allow you to work.
Check for extra steps
Some visa-free countries still ask for something before you arrive, such as compulsory travel insurance in Georgia or a free online arrival form in Togo. The destination page shows these under Travel insurance and Arrival forms.
More lists: Visa on arrival, Apply online (e-visa and ETA), Schengen visa. Or see all destinations.