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Flag of South Africa
ModerateAfrica

South Africa Passport

Pretoria

Global rank

#43of 94

Mobility score

98

Year change

destinations

The South Africa passport ranks #43 in the world for 2026 with a mobility score of 98. South Africa passport holders can travel to 98 destinations without arranging a visa in advance: 60 visa-free, 33 with a visa on arrival, and 5 with an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Solid regional reach with visas needed for many destinations.

Compare
98destinationsModerate

Capital

Pretoria

Continent

Africa

Region

Southern Africa

Global percentile

Top 46%

Where can you travel?

A complete, searchable breakdown of every destination by visa type and allowed stay.

Visa-free

60

no prior visa

Visa on arrival

33

no prior visa

eTA

5

no prior visa

eVisa

29

visa needed

Visa required

71

visa needed

Enter freely with just your passport, no visa needed.

  • Flag of AngolaAngolaMiddle Africa30 days visa-free
  • Flag of Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and BarbudaCaribbean180 days visa-free
  • Flag of ArgentinaArgentinaSouth America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of BahamasBahamasCaribbean90 days visa-free
  • Flag of BarbadosBarbadosCaribbean180 days visa-free
  • Flag of BelizeBelizeCentral AmericaVisa-free
  • Flag of BeninBeninWestern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of BotswanaBotswanaSouthern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of BrazilBrazilSouth America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ChileChileSouth America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of Costa RicaCosta RicaCentral America180 days visa-free
  • Flag of DominicaDominicaCaribbean180 days visa-free
  • Flag of Dominican RepublicDominican RepublicCaribbeanVisa-free
  • Flag of EcuadorEcuadorSouth America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of El SalvadorEl SalvadorCentral America180 days visa-free
  • Flag of EswatiniEswatiniSouthern Africa30 days visa-free
  • Flag of FijiFijiMelanesia120 days visa-free
  • Flag of GabonGabonMiddle Africa30 days visa-free
  • Flag of GambiaGambiaWestern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of GeorgiaGeorgiaWestern Asia12 months
  • Flag of GhanaGhanaWestern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of GrenadaGrenadaCaribbean90 days visa-free
  • Flag of GuatemalaGuatemalaCentral America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of GuyanaGuyanaSouth America30 days visa-free
  • Flag of HaitiHaitiCaribbean90 days visa-free
  • Flag of HondurasHondurasCentral America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of Hong KongHong KongEastern Asia30 days visa-free
  • Flag of IsraelIsraelWestern Asia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of JamaicaJamaicaCaribbeanVisa-free
  • Flag of KiribatiKiribatiMicronesia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of LesothoLesothoSouthern AfricaVisa-free
  • Flag of MacauMacauEastern Asia30 days visa-free
  • Flag of MalawiMalawiEastern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of MalaysiaMalaysiaSouth-Eastern Asia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of MauritiusMauritiusEastern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of MicronesiaMicronesiaMicronesia30 days visa-free
  • Flag of MozambiqueMozambiqueEastern AfricaVisa-free
  • Flag of NamibiaNamibiaSouthern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of NicaraguaNicaraguaCentral America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of PalestinePalestineWestern AsiaVisa-free
  • Flag of PanamaPanamaCentral America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ParaguayParaguaySouth America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of PeruPeruSouth America180 days visa-free
  • Flag of PhilippinesPhilippinesSouth-Eastern Asia30 days visa-free
  • Flag of RussiaRussiaEastern Europe90 days visa-free
  • Flag of RwandaRwandaEastern Africa30 days visa-free
  • Flag of Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and NevisCaribbean90 days visa-free
  • Flag of Saint LuciaSaint LuciaCaribbean42 days visa-free
  • Flag of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesCaribbean90 days visa-free
  • Flag of SeychellesSeychellesEastern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of SingaporeSingaporeSouth-Eastern Asia30 days visa-free
  • Flag of TanzaniaTanzaniaEastern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ThailandThailandSouth-Eastern Asia60 days visa-free
  • Flag of Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and TobagoCaribbean90 days visa-free
  • Flag of TunisiaTunisiaNorthern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of UruguayUruguaySouth America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of VanuatuVanuatuMelanesia120 days visa-free
  • Flag of VenezuelaVenezuelaSouth America90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ZambiaZambiaEastern Africa90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ZimbabweZimbabweEastern Africa90 days visa-free

How it compares

South Africa98
Africa average59
Global average99

vs global average

-1 destinations

vs Africa average

+39 destinations

Top passports in Africa

Access by region

Destinations you can enter without a prior visa, per continent.

  • South America10 / 12
  • North America19 / 23
  • Oceania9 / 14
  • Africa33 / 53
  • Asia26 / 50
  • Europe1 / 46

Similar passports

Ranked closest to South Africa.

Compare South Africa

Complete visa requirement list for South Africa passport holders

Every destination grouped by visa type, with the allowed length of stay. Expand each group to see the full country-by-country breakdown.

Visa-free countries for South Africa passport holders

60
  • Flag of AngolaAngola30 days visa-free
  • Flag of Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda180 days visa-free
  • Flag of ArgentinaArgentina90 days visa-free
  • Flag of BahamasBahamas90 days visa-free
  • Flag of BarbadosBarbados180 days visa-free
  • Flag of BelizeBelizeVisa-free
  • Flag of BeninBenin90 days visa-free
  • Flag of BotswanaBotswana90 days visa-free
  • Flag of BrazilBrazil90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ChileChile90 days visa-free
  • Flag of Costa RicaCosta Rica180 days visa-free
  • Flag of DominicaDominica180 days visa-free
  • Flag of Dominican RepublicDominican RepublicVisa-free
  • Flag of EcuadorEcuador90 days visa-free
  • Flag of El SalvadorEl Salvador180 days visa-free
  • Flag of EswatiniEswatini30 days visa-free
  • Flag of FijiFiji120 days visa-free
  • Flag of GabonGabon30 days visa-free
  • Flag of GambiaGambia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of GeorgiaGeorgia12 months
  • Flag of GhanaGhana90 days visa-free
  • Flag of GrenadaGrenada90 days visa-free
  • Flag of GuatemalaGuatemala90 days visa-free
  • Flag of GuyanaGuyana30 days visa-free
  • Flag of HaitiHaiti90 days visa-free
  • Flag of HondurasHonduras90 days visa-free
  • Flag of Hong KongHong Kong30 days visa-free
  • Flag of IsraelIsrael90 days visa-free
  • Flag of JamaicaJamaicaVisa-free
  • Flag of KiribatiKiribati90 days visa-free
  • Flag of LesothoLesothoVisa-free
  • Flag of MacauMacau30 days visa-free
  • Flag of MalawiMalawi90 days visa-free
  • Flag of MalaysiaMalaysia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of MauritiusMauritius90 days visa-free
  • Flag of MicronesiaMicronesia30 days visa-free
  • Flag of MozambiqueMozambiqueVisa-free
  • Flag of NamibiaNamibia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of NicaraguaNicaragua90 days visa-free
  • Flag of PalestinePalestineVisa-free
  • Flag of PanamaPanama90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ParaguayParaguay90 days visa-free
  • Flag of PeruPeru180 days visa-free
  • Flag of PhilippinesPhilippines30 days visa-free
  • Flag of RussiaRussia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of RwandaRwanda30 days visa-free
  • Flag of Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and Nevis90 days visa-free
  • Flag of Saint LuciaSaint Lucia42 days visa-free
  • Flag of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint Vincent and the Grenadines90 days visa-free
  • Flag of SeychellesSeychelles90 days visa-free
  • Flag of SingaporeSingapore30 days visa-free
  • Flag of TanzaniaTanzania90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ThailandThailand60 days visa-free
  • Flag of Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago90 days visa-free
  • Flag of TunisiaTunisia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of UruguayUruguay90 days visa-free
  • Flag of VanuatuVanuatu120 days visa-free
  • Flag of VenezuelaVenezuela90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ZambiaZambia90 days visa-free
  • Flag of ZimbabweZimbabwe90 days visa-free

Visa on arrival countries for South Africa passport holders

33
  • Flag of ArmeniaArmeniaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of BoliviaBoliviaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of BurundiBurundiVisa on arrival
  • Flag of CambodiaCambodiaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of Cape VerdeCape VerdeVisa on arrival
  • Flag of ComorosComorosVisa on arrival
  • Flag of DjiboutiDjiboutiVisa on arrival
  • Flag of EgyptEgyptVisa on arrival
  • Flag of EthiopiaEthiopiaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of Guinea-BissauGuinea-BissauVisa on arrival
  • Flag of IndonesiaIndonesiaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of IranIranVisa on arrival
  • Flag of JordanJordanVisa on arrival
  • Flag of KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstanVisa on arrival
  • Flag of LaosLaosVisa on arrival
  • Flag of MadagascarMadagascarVisa on arrival
  • Flag of MaldivesMaldivesVisa on arrival
  • Flag of Marshall IslandsMarshall IslandsVisa on arrival
  • Flag of MauritaniaMauritaniaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of NepalNepalVisa on arrival
  • Flag of NigeriaNigeriaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of OmanOmanVisa on arrival
  • Flag of PalauPalauVisa on arrival
  • Flag of QatarQatarVisa on arrival
  • Flag of SamoaSamoaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of Saudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of SenegalSenegalVisa on arrival
  • Flag of Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneVisa on arrival
  • Flag of SomaliaSomaliaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of Sri LankaSri LankaVisa on arrival
  • Flag of TajikistanTajikistanVisa on arrival
  • Flag of Timor-LesteTimor-LesteVisa on arrival
  • Flag of TuvaluTuvaluVisa on arrival

eTA countries for South Africa passport holders

5
  • Flag of Ivory CoastIvory CoasteTA required
  • Flag of KenyaKenyaeTA required
  • Flag of PakistanPakistaneTA required
  • Flag of Papua New GuineaPapua New GuineaeTA required
  • Flag of South KoreaSouth KoreaeTA required

eVisa countries for South Africa passport holders

29
  • Flag of AlbaniaAlbaniaeVisa online
  • Flag of AustraliaAustraliaeVisa online
  • Flag of AzerbaijanAzerbaijaneVisa online
  • Flag of BahrainBahraineVisa online
  • Flag of BhutanBhutaneVisa online
  • Flag of Burkina FasoBurkina FasoeVisa online
  • Flag of CameroonCamerooneVisa online
  • Flag of ColombiaColombiaeVisa online
  • Flag of CubaCubaeVisa online
  • Flag of DR CongoDR CongoeVisa online
  • Flag of Equatorial GuineaEquatorial GuineaeVisa online
  • Flag of GuineaGuineaeVisa online
  • Flag of IndiaIndiaeVisa online
  • Flag of IraqIraqeVisa online
  • Flag of JapanJapaneVisa online
  • Flag of KazakhstanKazakhstaneVisa online
  • Flag of LibyaLibyaeVisa online
  • Flag of MoldovaMoldovaeVisa online
  • Flag of MongoliaMongoliaeVisa online
  • Flag of MyanmarMyanmareVisa online
  • Flag of São Tomé and PríncipeSão Tomé and PríncipeeVisa online
  • Flag of South SudanSouth SudaneVisa online
  • Flag of SurinameSurinameeVisa online
  • Flag of SyriaSyriaeVisa online
  • Flag of TogoTogoeVisa online
  • Flag of TürkiyeTürkiyeeVisa online
  • Flag of UgandaUgandaeVisa online
  • Flag of United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab EmirateseVisa online
  • Flag of VietnamVietnameVisa online

Visa required countries for South Africa passport holders

71
  • Flag of AfghanistanAfghanistanVisa required
  • Flag of AlgeriaAlgeriaVisa required
  • Flag of AndorraAndorraVisa required
  • Flag of AustriaAustriaVisa required
  • Flag of BangladeshBangladeshVisa required
  • Flag of BelarusBelarusVisa required
  • Flag of BelgiumBelgiumVisa required
  • Flag of Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and HerzegovinaVisa required
  • Flag of BruneiBruneiVisa required
  • Flag of BulgariaBulgariaVisa required
  • Flag of CanadaCanadaVisa required
  • Flag of Central African RepublicCentral African RepublicVisa required
  • Flag of ChadChadVisa required
  • Flag of ChinaChinaVisa required
  • Flag of CongoCongoVisa required
  • Flag of CroatiaCroatiaVisa required
  • Flag of CyprusCyprusVisa required
  • Flag of CzechiaCzechiaVisa required
  • Flag of DenmarkDenmarkVisa required
  • Flag of EritreaEritreaVisa required
  • Flag of EstoniaEstoniaVisa required
  • Flag of FinlandFinlandVisa required
  • Flag of FranceFranceVisa required
  • Flag of GermanyGermanyVisa required
  • Flag of GreeceGreeceVisa required
  • Flag of HungaryHungaryVisa required
  • Flag of IcelandIcelandVisa required
  • Flag of IrelandIrelandVisa required
  • Flag of ItalyItalyVisa required
  • Flag of KosovoKosovoVisa required
  • Flag of KuwaitKuwaitVisa required
  • Flag of LatviaLatviaVisa required
  • Flag of LebanonLebanonVisa required
  • Flag of LiberiaLiberiaVisa required
  • Flag of LiechtensteinLiechtensteinVisa required
  • Flag of LithuaniaLithuaniaVisa required
  • Flag of LuxembourgLuxembourgVisa required
  • Flag of MaliMaliVisa required
  • Flag of MaltaMaltaVisa required
  • Flag of MexicoMexicoVisa required
  • Flag of MonacoMonacoVisa required
  • Flag of MontenegroMontenegroVisa required
  • Flag of MoroccoMoroccoVisa required
  • Flag of NauruNauruVisa required
  • Flag of NetherlandsNetherlandsVisa required
  • Flag of New ZealandNew ZealandVisa required
  • Flag of NigerNigerVisa required
  • Flag of North KoreaNorth KoreaVisa required
  • Flag of North MacedoniaNorth MacedoniaVisa required
  • Flag of NorwayNorwayVisa required
  • Flag of PolandPolandVisa required
  • Flag of PortugalPortugalVisa required
  • Flag of RomaniaRomaniaVisa required
  • Flag of San MarinoSan MarinoVisa required
  • Flag of SerbiaSerbiaVisa required
  • Flag of SlovakiaSlovakiaVisa required
  • Flag of SloveniaSloveniaVisa required
  • Flag of Solomon IslandsSolomon IslandsVisa required
  • Flag of SpainSpainVisa required
  • Flag of SudanSudanVisa required
  • Flag of SwedenSwedenVisa required
  • Flag of SwitzerlandSwitzerlandVisa required
  • Flag of TaiwanTaiwanVisa required
  • Flag of TongaTongaVisa required
  • Flag of TurkmenistanTurkmenistanVisa required
  • Flag of UkraineUkraineVisa required
  • Flag of United KingdomUnited KingdomVisa required
  • Flag of United StatesUnited StatesVisa required
  • Flag of UzbekistanUzbekistanVisa required
  • Flag of Vatican CityVatican CityVisa required
  • Flag of YemenYemenVisa required

South Africa passport — frequently asked questions

How many countries can South Africa passport holders visit visa-free in 2026?

South Africa passport holders can visit 98 destinations without a prior visa — 60 visa-free, 33 with a visa on arrival, and 5 with an eTA. This gives the South Africa passport a mobility score of 98.

What is the South Africa passport ranking?

The South Africa passport ranks #43 out of 94 ranking tiers worldwide, placing it in the "Moderate" tier of global travel freedom with a mobility score of 98.

Which countries can South Africa passport holders visit without a visa?

Visa-free destinations for South Africa passport holders include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Dominica, plus 48 more countries.

Where do South Africa passport holders need a visa in advance?

71 destinations require South Africa passport holders to arrange a visa before travelling, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What is the difference between visa-free, visa on arrival and eTA?

Visa-free means you enter with just your passport. Visa on arrival means you obtain a visa at the border. An eTA (electronic travel authorization) is a quick online approval you get before you fly. All three let you travel without arranging a traditional visa in advance.

How is the South Africa passport mobility score calculated?

The mobility score of 98 counts every destination a South Africa passport holder can reach without a pre-departure visa: visa-free entries, visa on arrival, and eTA destinations, based on the Passport Index visa-requirement dataset.

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