South Africa PassportVisa-Free Countries & Travel Power 2026
Ranked #100 of 199 passports worldwide
- Visa-free
- 49
- Visa on arrival
- 23
- eTA / e-Visa
- 35
- Total reach
- 107
The South Africa passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 107 countries as of 2026, making it a passport with moderate global reach. South Africa passport holders can enter 49 destinations completely visa-free, 23 countries offer visa on arrival, and 35 destinations are accessible via electronic travel authorisation (eTA or e-Visa).
All data is sourced directly from official government publications - foreign ministry visa policy pages, border authority portals, and published bilateral agreements. South Africa citizens can also explore 22 citizenship by investment programs and 380 golden visa / residency by investment programs to obtain a second passport or residence permit.
Visa-Free Destinations for South Africa Passport Holders (49)
Enter with just your South Africa passport - no visa application, no fee, no advance paperwork required.
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Visa on Arrival Countries for South Africa Passport (23)
Receive your visa stamp at the airport on arrival - no embassy visit required.
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eTA & e-Visa Destinations for South Africa Passport Holders (35)
Apply online before you travel - an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) or e-Visa is granted digitally, with no embassy visit required.
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Citizenship by Investment Programs Available to South Africa Citizens (22)
As a South Africa passport holder you can apply for citizenship by investment in 22 countries - gaining a second passport that may significantly increase your global travel access and provide additional rights to live, work, and do business abroad.
From USD 230,000 · Not stated verbatim on cip.gov.ag fetched pages
From - · 30 business days (from receipt of Agency report by the National Directorate of Migration)
From - · Not specified on official source. Council of Ministers meets twice yearly to decide applications.
From USD 75,000 · varies
From USD 1,000,000 · Not specified officially; applications require approval from Ministry of Interior and final grant by Royal Decree.
From USD 200,000 · 3 to 4 months from application submission to approval in principle
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From USD 250,000 · 3 to 6 months
From USD 1,000,000 · Approximately 6 weeks (as stated on official world.adoptingelsalvador.gob.sv)
From EUR 3,000,000 · 3 to 6 months
From USD 235,000 · 3-4 months
From JOD 3,000,000 · Not stated on official page
From USD 500,000 · Ministry of Justice reviews within 5 business days of receipt, then evaluates for 30 days before forwarding to government for further review. Applications submitted to Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Lao consulate/embassy abroad.
From USD 500,000 · varies
From USD 90,000 · Three to four months from date of application submission
From EUR 200,000 · 5–10 months (officially stated as ~5 months; industry sources estimate 8–10 months)
From USD 250,000 · 160-180 days from submission to approval in principle
From USD 240,000 · Approximately 90 days from acceptance of application for processing
From WST 4,000,000 · Minimum 3-year timeline: begins with temporary resident permit, progresses to permanent resident permit (with minimum 15 days per year physical presence requirement), then citizenship eligibility after 3 years.
From USD 90,000 · 1.5–3 months to decision (official CIP site states 'approvals in as little as two months'); post-approval passport issuance approximately 3 months
From USD 400,000 · Not specified on official page; decision rests with the President of the Republic of Turkey
From USD 130,000 · Not specified on official pages; 3 months allowed to complete oath and pay fees after Commission approval (with possible 2-month extension upon written request).
South Africa Visa Requirements by Destination
Step-by-step visa guides, fees and document checklists for South African passport holders visiting popular destinations.
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
- 🇹🇭Thailand
- 🇮🇹Italy
- 🇪🇸Spain
- 🇳🇱Netherlands
- 🇨🇭Switzerland
- 🇵🇹Portugal
- 🇦🇹Austria
- 🇸🇬Singapore
- 🇲🇾Malaysia
- 🇮🇩Indonesia
- 🇻🇳Vietnam
- 🇱🇰Sri Lanka
- 🇳🇵Nepal
- 🇲🇻Maldives
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
- 🇶🇦Qatar
- 🇹🇷Turkey
- 🇴🇲Oman
- 🇧🇭Bahrain
- 🇯🇴Jordan
- 🇯🇵Japan
- 🇰🇷South Korea
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong
- 🇮🇳India
- 🇵🇭Philippines
- 🇪🇬Egypt
- 🇰🇪Kenya
- 🇹🇿Tanzania
- 🇧🇷Brazil
- 🇷🇺Russia
- 🇬🇪Georgia
- 🇦🇿Azerbaijan
- 🇰🇿Kazakhstan
South Africa Passport FAQ
How many countries can South Africa passport holders visit without a visa in 2026?
South Africa passport holders can visit 49 countries completely visa-free in 2026. An additional 23 countries offer visa on arrival and 35 destinations are accessible with an eTA or e-Visa - bringing the total to 107 destinations accessible without a pre-arranged embassy visa.
What is the South Africa passport ranking in 2026?
The South Africa passport ranks #100 out of 199 passports globally in 2026, based on the number of accessible destinations (107 countries).
Do South Africa passport holders need a visa to travel to Europe?
South Africa passport holders typically require a Schengen visa to enter EU countries. However, holding a valid US visa, UK visa, or Schengen visa may unlock additional travel options. Use Earth Visa to explore your full options.
Can South Africa citizens get a second citizenship through investment?
Yes. South Africa citizens can apply for 22 citizenship by investment (CBI) programs including those in the Caribbean (St Kitts, Dominica, Grenada), Malta, Turkey, and others. These programs grant a second passport in exchange for a qualifying investment, typically starting from $100,000–$200,000.
Which countries can South Africa passport holders visit on arrival?
23 countries offer visa on arrival to South Africa passport holders. Top destinations include: Burundi, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and 18 more.