🇿🇦South Africa Visa for New Zealand Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents
No — New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa for South Africa. Entry is visa-free for up to 90 days as of 2026.
Ordinary passport holders only
dirco.gov.za ↗Entering South Africa on a New Zealand passport
- → Travel with just your valid New Zealand passport. No visa or prior application needed.
- → See the exact document checklist for New Zealand applicants — only needed if you apply for a longer-stay visa.
South Africa visa documents for New Zealand applicants
No visa documents are needed for a short visit — New Zealand citizens enter South Africa with just a valid passport. If you apply for a longer-stay visa, these are the exact documents required, by visa type, from the official visa application centre.
studentStudy Permit
- A duly completed application form signed by the applicant (Form DHA-1738 (PDF checklist ↗) ). - A valid machine readable Passport / Travel Document valid for no less than (180) days (6 months) after the expiry of the intended visit with three (3) completely blank pages. Machine readable passports which have been manually extended are not accepted for visas and for travel purposes. - One passport size photo - Photography services can be purchased from the application centre - Payment of the prescribed fee of NZD 48.00 (non-refundable) and an additional service charge of NZD 86 (Inclusive of GST) per application. Payment can be made by using debit or credit card. - A vaccination certificate if applicant travelled through the yellow fever belt of Africa and South America - Proof of financial means in the form of: - Recent bank statement for 3 months stamped and signed by the bank authority - undertaking to the learning institution for payment of all fees and accommodation from a bursary scheme or scholarship or parents; - proof of medical cover renewed annually for the period of study with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act / undertaking by the parents or legal guardian that the learner will have medical cover for the full duration of the period of study - A police clearance certificate shall only be required from the police or security authorities in each country where the applicant, after having attained the age of 18 years, has resided for 12 months or longer during the five years immediately preceding the date of application. - Copy of a return air ticket if studies are less than 12 months. - Medical (PDF checklist ↗) report. - An official letter of provisional acceptance at the learning institution and the duration of the course; an undertaking by the Registrar or Principal of learning institution to provide proof of registration within 60 days of registration. in the case of a foreign state accepting responsibility for the applicant in terms of a bilateral agreement, a written undertaking from such foreign state to pay for the departure of the applicant. - Details regarding arranged accommodation. - In the case of a student under the age of 18 years: - an unabridged birth certificate (certified copy) - proof of consent from one of or both his or her parents or legal guardian, as the case may be, in the form of a affidavit (PDF checklist ↗)for the child to travel into or depart from the Republic: Provided that in the case where one parent provides proof of consent, that parent must also provide a copy of a court order issued to him or her in terms of which he or she has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child; - a letter from the person who is to receive the child in the Republic, containing his or her residential address and contact details in the Republic where the child will be residing; - a certified copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in the Republic; and the contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child - An outline of the course or academic programme for which the applicant has been accepted and proof of the required qualifications to attend it. - The holder of a Study Visa may also apply for permission to conduct work in the form of practical training as part of the studies to obtain a diploma, degree by submitting: - an offer to do practical training - consent from the learning institution (may be done when is South Africa) - If the applicant is studying at a higher educational institution, he/she may apply for part-time employment not exceeding 20 hours per week, which shall not apply during academic vacation, by submitting: - an offer of employment - letter of consent from the learning institution (may be done when in South Africa) - Application for a study visa to undertake training at a South African Aviation School / Aviation Training Organisation registered with the South African Civil Aviation Authority will have to include a valid Training Approval Certificate issued by SACAA.
retirementRetired Person Visa
Retired Person Visa (Non working) In terms of the Immigration Act No.13 of 2002 a visa may be issued to a foreigner who intends retiring in South African Please note: The period of validity of the permit shall not exceed four (4) years at a time but may be renewed. Provisional airline bookings may be made for the proposed departure date; however, the Mission advises that payments should not be made in the event of an unsuccessful application. The following documentation is required and criteria apply: - Application form - Form DHA-1738 (PDF checklist ↗) . - A valid machine readable Passport / Travel Document valid for no less than (30) days after the expiry of the intended visit with three (3) completely blank pages. Machine readable passports which have been manually extended are not accepted for visas and for travel purposes. - One passport size photograph.(not older than 6 months) - Vaccination certificate if travelled through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America (if applicable) - A police clearance certificate shall only be required from the police or security authorities in each country where the applicant, after having attained the age of 18 years, has resided for 12 months or longer during the five years immediately preceding the date of application. - Medical (PDF checklist ↗) report. - Proof of financial means in the form of: a pension with a minimum value of 37,000 ZAR per month or an irrevocable retirement annuity or retirement account to the equivalent amount, or - a net worth / combination of assets realising an income of at least 37,000 ZAR per month
businessCorporate Permits:
- An application for a corporate worker certificate must be accompanied by: - A valid Passport of the applicant; The certificate contemplated in sub regulation (8)(b); - A valid employment contract; - A written undertaking by the corporate applicant to ensure that the foreigner departs from the Republic upon termination of his or her contract of employment or accepting responsibility for the return or costs related to the deportation of the foreigner should it become necessary; - The documentation contemplated in regulation 9(1)(b), (c) and (f); - Proof of qualifications evaluated by SAQA, and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic, or skills and experience in line with the job offer; and - A certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA in terms of section 13(1) (i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act. - The Director-General may issue to the corporate worker employed by the holder of a corporate visa contemplated in sub regulation (8) a corporate worker certificate for a period not exceeding the validity period of the corporate visa. - A corporate worker may not renew his or her corporate worker certificate or apply for a change of status in the Republic.
Other South Africa visa categories (18)Hide other visa categories
These don't apply to a typical short visit, but cover other reasons people travel to South Africa. Eligibility varies by visa type — some are limited to specific nationalities, so check each one's conditions.
General Work Visa
Issued to foreign nationals who have a confirmed offer of employment in South Africa in an occupation where South African citizens or permanent residents are not available.
Valid for up to 5 years. Employer must demonstrate that no suitable South African candidate is available (labour market test). Governed by Section 19(2) of the Immigration Act 2002.
Apply here ↗Critical Skills Work Visa
Issued to foreign nationals whose occupation appears on the South African Critical Skills List, allowing them to work for a South African employer.
Valid for up to 5 years. Requires confirmation from a professional body/council recognised by SAQA. Employment offer required. Critical Skills List is gazetted periodically. Governed by Section 19(4) of the Immigration Act. Requirements version effective 9 October 2024.
Apply here ↗Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa
Issued to employees of multinational corporations being transferred to a South African branch, subsidiary, or affiliate within the same group.
Valid for up to 4 years. Non-renewable and non-extendable. Governed by Section 19(7) of the Immigration Act 2002.
Apply here ↗Corporate Visa
Enables corporations to employ a predetermined number of foreign nationals in specific occupations where South African workers are unavailable.
Valid for up to 3 years. Issued to the corporation; employees named under the corporate visa are then authorised to work. Governed by Section 21 of the Immigration Act 2002.
Apply here ↗Section 11(2) Short-term Work Authorisation
Permits foreign nationals to perform short-term work in South Africa as a sub-category of the Visitor's Visa framework.
Governed by Section 11(2) of the Immigration Act 2002. For short-term assignments, filming, performance, etc. not exceeding 90 days.
Apply here ↗Crew Visa (Section 16)
Issued to foreign nationals working as a crew member of a conveyance (ship or aircraft) calling at or operating within South Africa.
Governed by Section 16 of the Immigration Act 2002. Issued for a maximum of three months at a time, and only for the period the crew member's conveyance remains in South Africa. Holder may not conduct work other than duties as a crew member of the conveyance. Applies to crew of foreign private, chartered, or commercial ships and aircraft.
Apply here ↗Remote Work Visa (Port of Entry Visa)
Issued to foreign nationals employed by a foreign-based employer who wish to work remotely from South Africa for more than 90 days.
Minimum gross annual salary of R650,796.00 required. Applicant must hold a valid employment contract signed by both parties. Must be resident in a country with valid long-term residence status. B1/B2 US visa holders must apply from their country of origin. Requires FBI background check, medical report, and proof of accommodation. SARS registration required if present for more than 183 aggregate days. Fee listed is USD $36 from US applications. Added to Immigration Regulations effective 28 March 2024.
Apply here ↗Study Visa
Issued to foreign nationals intending to undertake full-time study at an accredited educational institution in South Africa.
Valid for the duration of the course. Holder may work up to 20 hours per week. Must have medical cover with a registered South African medical scheme. Governed by Section 18 of the Immigration Act 2002.
Apply here ↗Exchange Visa
Issued to foreign nationals under 25 years of age participating in cultural, economic, or social exchange programmes in South Africa.
Valid for up to 12 months. Non-renewable and non-extendable. Applicant must be under 25 years of age. Governed by Section 18 of the Immigration Act 2002.
Apply here ↗Retired Person's Visa
Issued to foreign nationals who wish to retire in South Africa on a temporary basis for limited or seasonal periods.
Requires proof of minimum monthly income of R37,000 or minimum net worth of R37,000 (note: official website states R37,000; actual threshold may be higher - verify current gazette). Holder may not work. Governed by Section 17 of the Immigration Act 2002.
Apply here ↗Medical Treatment Visa
Issued to foreign nationals who need to travel to South Africa for life-saving or specialised medical treatment unavailable in their home country.
Valid for up to 6 months. Requires letter from a South African medical practitioner confirming treatment. Holder may not work. Governed by Section 11(4) of the Immigration Act 2002.
Apply here ↗Relative's Visa
Issued to relatives of South African citizens or permanent residents wishing to live in South Africa for an extended period.
Valid for up to 2 years. The South African relative must provide a financial assurance of at least R8,500 per month per person. Governed by Section 18 of the Immigration Act 2002. Spouses of South African citizens/permanent residents may apply under Section 11(6) Spousal Visa.
Apply here ↗Spousal / Life Partner Visa - Section 11(6)
Issued to the spouse or life partner of a South African citizen or permanent resident who intends to visit or reside in South Africa.
Governed by Section 11(6) of the Immigration Act 2002. Allows the holder to work in South Africa. Must demonstrate a bona fide spousal or life partnership relationship.
Apply here ↗Diplomatic Visa
Issued to accredited diplomatic personnel and their dependents assigned to South Africa in an official diplomatic capacity.
Issued to diplomats accrediting to South Africa. Diplomatic passport holders from certain countries still require a port-of-entry accreditation visa (e.g., USA, Australia, Germany). Managed via DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation).
Apply here ↗Treaty Visa
Issued to foreign nationals conducting activities in South Africa under the terms of an international treaty or agreement to which South Africa is a party.
Governed by international agreements to which South Africa is a signatory. Specific terms depend on the relevant treaty.
Apply here ↗Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
An online pre-travel authorisation for eligible visa-required nationalities visiting South Africa for tourism or short-term purposes, replacing the traditional paper visa for qualifying travellers.
Launched September/October 2025. Initial eligible nationalities: China, India, Indonesia, Mexico; expanding to all visa-required nationalities. Stay extendable once for additional 90 days (max 180 days total). Entry initially limited to OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports, expanding to secondary airports. Work not permitted. Processing within 24 hours per Minister Schreiber. Not required for visa-exempt travellers.
Apply here ↗eVisa (ePermit)
An online visa application system allowing visa-required foreign nationals to apply for South African visitor, study, business, and other visa categories digitally.
Available at ehome.dha.gov.za. Eligible applicants must enter through OR Tambo, Cape Town, or Lanseria International Airports. The eVisa is a digital form of the paper visa covering all visa categories available under the Immigration Act. Replaces traditional embassy paper applications for eligible nationalities.
Apply here ↗Permanent Residence Permit
Grants foreign nationals the right to reside permanently in South Africa without time limitations, available under various categories including retirement, business, critical skills, family, and financial independence.
Governed by Section 27 of the Immigration Act 2002. Categories: (a) spouse/life partner of SA citizen, (b) critical skills, (c) business/investor, (d) refugee, (e) child of SA citizen, (f) financially independent. Applicants typically must hold a temporary residence visa for 5 years before qualifying (except certain categories). Does not automatically confer citizenship; naturalisation requires additional years of PR.
Apply here ↗South Africa visa for New Zealand citizens — FAQ
Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for South Africa?
No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
How long can New Zealand citizens stay in South Africa?
New Zealand passport holders can stay in South Africa for up to 90 days per entry under the current visa-free arrangement.
What documents do New Zealand citizens need for South Africa?
A valid passport is all New Zealand citizens need for a short visa-free visit (up to 90 days). If you apply for a longer-stay visa, Earth Visa lists the full required documents per visa category from the official visa application centre.
Related visa requirements
For New Zealand citizens
United Arab Emirates visa
Thailand visa
United States visa
United Kingdom visa
Germany visa
France visa
Italy visa
Spain visa
South Africa visa for India
South Africa visa for Pakistan
South Africa visa for China
South Africa visa for Philippines
South Africa visa for Indonesia
South Africa visa for Malaysia
South Africa visa for Nigeria