Visa on Arrival Countries for South AfricansGet Stamped at the Border - the Full 2026 List (21)
21 countries stamp your visa at the border · official sources
- Visa on arrival
- 21
- Visa-free
- 58
- eTA / e-Visa
- 33
- Total reach
- 112
21 countries issue South Africans a visa on arrival in 2026 - you land, pay the fee at the border counter, and get stamped in without an embassy appointment. Fees, stay limits and documents vary per country. See how the South Africa passport compares in the 2026 passport rankings.
All 21 Visa on Arrival Countries for South Africans (2026)
Alphabetical list of every country issuing South Africans a visa on arrival in 2026, with the maximum stay where officially published.
- 🇧🇭Bahrain
Visa on arrival eligible.
- 🇧🇮Burundi≤ 30 days
Fee: $70 USD single entry, valid 1 month.
- 🇰🇲Comoros≤ 45 days
Visas are available on arrival at the airport or port.
- 🇩🇯Djibouti
Visitors of any nationality may obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Djibouti (Ambouli International Airport and other border crossings).
- 🇪🇹Ethiopia
Tourist Visa on Arrival.
- 🇬🇼Guinea-Bissau≤ 30 days
All non-exempt nationals may obtain a single-entry short-stay visa on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport.
- 🇮🇩Indonesia≤ 30 days
Visa on Arrival (VoA).
- 🇮🇷Iran≤ 30 days
- 🇯🇴Jordan≤ 30 days
Non-restricted nationals obtain visa on arrival at air, land, and sea ports, EXCEPT the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing.
- 🇲🇬Madagascar≤ 90 days
Visa on arrival available at international airports/ports for all nationalities except Burundian and Palestinian citizens, for stays up to 90 days.
- 🇲🇻Maldives≤ 30 days
Tourist visa granted on arrival free of charge to all nationalities.
- 🇲🇭Marshall Islands≤ 90 days
Fee waived.
- 🇳🇵Nepal≤ 90 days
- 🇵🇼Palau≤ 30 days
Tourist or Business Visa on arrival available for nationalities not otherwise exempt or excluded.
- 🇷🇼Rwanda≤ 30 days
The visa is still formally issued upon arrival - it is not a visa-free pass.
- 🇼🇸Samoa≤ 90 days
All foreign passport holders (except US Nationals of American Samoa) are issued a gratis 90-day Visitor's Permit upon arrival in Samoa.
- 🇸🇳Senegal≤ 90 days
Category B - ordinary passport; visa on arrival at Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport only; free of charge.
- 🇸🇱Sierra Leone≤ 30 days
All Commonwealth member state nationals receive landing visa per NTB official policy effective 5 September 2019.
- 🇹🇯Tajikistan≤ 45 days
Visa on arrival at Dushanbe International Airport.
- 🇹🇱Timor-Leste≤ 30 days
Visa on arrival available at Dili International Airport and Dili Sea Port only.
- 🇹🇻Tuvalu≤ 30 days
No Visa at All: 58 Visa Free Countries
Before queueing at a border counter, remember that South Africans can enter 58 countries with no visa whatsoever - see the full breakdown on the South Africa passport page. And 33 more destinations accept a quick online e-visa or eTA.
Visa on Arrival for South Africans: FAQ
How many countries offer visa on arrival to South Africans in 2026?
21 countries offer a visa on arrival to South African passport holders in 2026, including Maldives, Indonesia, Jordan, Bahrain and Ethiopia.
What is a visa on arrival?
A visa on arrival (VOA) is a visa issued at the border when you land, instead of at an embassy beforehand. You typically queue at a dedicated counter, pay a fee, and receive a stamp or sticker on the spot. It is not the same as visa-free entry: a visa is still issued, and the border authority can refuse it.
What documents do I need for a visa on arrival?
Requirements vary by destination, but commonly include a passport with at least six months validity, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds, and the visa fee (often payable in cash). Always check the destination's official immigration website before flying - each country's rules and fees differ.
What is the difference between visa on arrival and visa-free?
Visa-free means you board and enter with just your passport - no visa is issued at all. Visa on arrival means a visa is still required, but it is issued at the border rather than an embassy. South African passport holders can enter 58 countries visa-free in 2026 in addition to the 21 visa on arrival countries on this list.
Can a US visa unlock more visa on arrival countries for South Africans?
Yes. With a valid US visa, South African passport holders also get a visa on arrival in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and 7 further destinations become fully visa-free. Conditions apply per destination - typically a valid multiple-entry US visa.
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- 🇪🇬Visa on arrival countries for Egyptians
- 🇧🇩Visa on arrival countries for Bangladeshis
- 🇮🇳e-Visa countries for Indians
- 🇮🇳Countries Indians can visit with a US visa
- 🇵🇰Countries Pakistani citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇵🇭Countries Filipino citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇳🇵Visa on arrival countries for Nepali citizens
- 🇱🇰Visa on arrival countries for Sri Lankans
- 🇨🇳Visa on arrival countries for Chinese citizens
- 🇹🇭Visa on arrival countries for Thai citizens
- 🇰🇪Visa on arrival countries for Kenyans
- 🇬🇭Visa on arrival countries for Ghanaians
- 🇲🇦Visa on arrival countries for Moroccans
- 🇩🇿Visa on arrival countries for Algerians
- 🇪🇹Visa on arrival countries for Ethiopians
- 🇸🇦Visa on arrival countries for Saudis
- 🇰🇿Visa on arrival countries for Kazakh citizens
- 🇯🇴Visa on arrival countries for Jordanians
- 🇮🇷Visa on arrival countries for Iranians
- 🇧🇩Countries Bangladeshi citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇳🇵Countries Nepali citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇱🇰Countries Sri Lankan citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇮🇩Countries Indonesian citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇻🇳Countries Vietnamese citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇪🇬Countries Egyptian citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇨🇳Countries Chinese citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇳🇬Countries Nigerian citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇩🇿Countries Algerian citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇪🇹Countries Ethiopian citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇮🇷Countries Iranian citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇯🇴Countries Jordanian citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇹🇭Countries Thai citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇰🇪Countries Kenyan citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇲🇦Countries Moroccan citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇬🇭Countries Ghanaian citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇰🇿Countries Kazakh citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇿🇦Countries South African citizens can visit with a US visa
- 🇸🇦Countries Saudi citizens can visit with a US visa
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