South Africa Visa Information

Nationals of certain countries can visit South Africa for up to three months without a visa but will need to be granted a work visa or permit to take up employment.

For Information On Working Holiday Visas For South Africa Please See The Section Below

The following countries do not need visas for South Africa.

Holders of South African passports (or official travel documents issued in place of a passport) do NOT require visas.

Holders of passports of Australia, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man and Virgin Islands, the Republic of Ireland as well as British Overseas Territories, are totally exempt from South African visa control for visits of less than 3 months.

Nationals of the British Dependent Territories are subject to visa control. These Territories are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Cucie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Holders of passports of the following countries may visit South Africa for holiday or business trips of up to 90 days - or for transits - without a visa (unless specifically advised that their visa exemptions have been withdrawn):

Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic,Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal , Romania,San Marino, Singapore, Spain, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Helena, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwa, Republic of China,
United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Holders of passports of the following countries may visit South Africa for holiday or business trips of up to 30 days - or for transits - without a visa

Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Egypt, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Jordan, Lesotho, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Peru, Poland, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Swaziland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Zambia

Passport holders from countries not mentioned above will need a visa to visit South Africa

To apply for visas please contact your nearest South African Embassy or Consulate. Some visa application forms can be downloaded from The South African Department Of Home Affairs Web Site

If you are staying for a longer period of time or intend to work or study in South Africa you should check with the Embassy regarding visa requirements. For further information on visas that may be available contact you nearest South African Embassy or Consulate or visit The Department Of Foreign Affairs South Africa Web Site

Working Holiday Visas: South Africa offers working holiday visas to Australians, but they are only available through IEP and only to students or recent graduates (within the last 12 months). With this work permit, you have the flexibility to do any sort of work anywhere in South Africa. For details of IEP's programmes for Australian residents, visit their website

Student Work Abroad Program: Canadian students may work in South Africa for a 12-month period through SWAP

UK Students And Recent Graduates May Work In South Africa For A 12-Month Period Through BUNAC

Search For Embassies Or Consulates Worldwide

International Working Holiday And Temporary Work Visa Chart

South Africa Work Guide

Search This Site For Jobs In South Africa

Search For Accommodation In South Africa

This is a brief & general summary, visa requirements and the number of working holiday visas allocated in countries each year can vary and new agreements are being made regularly so we recommended you attain complete and up to date official information from the South African Embassy or Consulate before making any work and travel plans.