South African Passport Global Ranking
As of May 2025 the South African passport holds the 100th position globally on the VisaGuide Passport Index, which ranks the passports of 199 countries and territories.

Where Can South African Passport Holders Travel Without a Visa?
As of May 2025, the holders of South Africa passport enjoy visa-free access to 74 countries and territories, offering extensive global mobility. Here is a list of worldwide destinations where South African citizens can travel without a visa:
- Kosovo
- Russia
- Georgia
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Oman
- Palestine
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Ecuador
- Falkland Islands
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Micronesia
- Niue
- Vanuatu
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Réunion
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Tanzania
- Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Eswatini
Make sure your South African passport is ready for travel – see the full list of countries that require six months of passport validity before you go!
What Countries Issue eVisa to South African Citizens?
Citizens of South Africa can easily obtain eVisas for travel to 34 countries, making it more convenient to explore these international destinations. Here is a list of countries where South Africans can apply for an eVisa online:
- Albania
- Ukraine
- Azerbaijan
- Bhutan
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Syria
- Türkiye
- Vietnam
- Cuba
- Colombia
- Suriname
- Papua New Guinea
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Guinea
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- South Sudan
- Uganda
What Countries Issue Visa on Arrival to South African Citizens?
If you are a South African citizen, you can get a visa on arrival for the 28 countries listed below:
- Armenia
- Bahrain
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Sri Lanka
- Tajikistan
- Bolivia
- Marshall Islands
- Palau
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Comoros
- Ethiopia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Saint Helena
You receive a visa on arrival (VOA) after entering the country that issues such a visa. Usually, there is a separate section at the airport where you can submit your application for your visa on arrival.
Countries With Visa Requirements for South African Citizens
You need a valid visa to enter 90 countries with a South African passport. It’s essential to apply for the appropriate visa through the relevant consulate or embassy before traveling to:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Brunei
- China
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- North Korea
- Taiwan
- Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
- Anguilla
- Aruba
- Bermuda
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Canada
- Curaçao
- Greenland
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Martin
- United States Virgin Islands
- United States
- French Guiana
- American Samoa
- Australia
- French Polynesia
- Guam
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Algeria
- Central African Republic
- Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Mali
- Mayotte
- Morocco
- Niger
- Sudan
Before planning a trip to any of the above destinations, it’s important for South African travelers to secure the necessary visa and ensure all entry requirements and travel documentation are in order.