If you’ve got a South African passport and are looking to travel on a budget without the hassle of applying for a visa, this guide is your go-to for planning your next international getaway. South African citizens can visit numerous countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival, meaning less hassle with paperwork, lower costs, and more time to experience the journey.

Visa-Free Countries for South African Passport Holders

Here is a list of countries that South African citizens can travel to visa-free: 

• Angola

• Antigua and Barbuda 

• Argentina 

• Armenia 

• Bahamas 

• Barbados 

• Belize 

• Benin 

• Botswana 

• Brazil 

• British Virgin Islands 

• Chile

• Cook Islands 

• Costa Rica 

• Dominica 

• Dominican Republic 

• Ecuador 

• El Salvador 

• eSwatini 

• Falkland Islands

• Fiji 

• Gabon

• Georgia

• Ghana

• Grenada

• Guatemala

• Guyana

• Haiti

• Honduras

• Hong Kong (SAR China) 

• Jamaica 

• Kenya 

• Kiribati 

• Kosovo 

• Lesotho 

• Macao (SAR China) 

• Madagascar 

• Malawi 

• Malaysia 

• Mauritius 

• Micronesia 

• Montserrat 

• Mozambique 

• Namibia

• Nicaragua 

• Niue 

• Oman

• Palestinian Territory 

• Panama 

• Peru 

• Philippines 

• Reunion 

• Russian Federation 

• Rwanda 

• Senegal

• Singapore 

• St. Lucia 

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines 

• Tanzania 

• Thailand 

• The Gambia 

• Trinidad and Tobago 

• Tunisia

• Turks and Caicos Islands

• Vanuatu 

• Venezuela 

• Zambia 

• Zimbabwe 

The list of countries that offer visa-free travel to South African passport holders may change over time due to evolving international agreements, changes in diplomatic relations, or temporary travel restrictions. These changes can affect which destinations allow entry without a visa or introduce new entry requirements.

Since the visa-free access list for South African citizens is not permanent, it’s important to stay informed and verify entry requirements before making travel plans. Always check official government sources or trusted visa information platforms to stay up-to-date on the latest updates, any additional documentation required, or travel advisories that may impact your journey.

Visa on Arrival (VOA) Countries for South African Passport Holders

Here is the list of countries that provide VOA to the citizens of South Africa:

• Armenia

• Bolivia

• Burundi

• Cambodia

• Cape Verde Islands

• Comoros Islands

• Djibouti

• Egypt

• Ethiopia

• Guinea-Bissau

• Indonesia

• Iran

• Jordan

• Kyrgyzstan

• Laos

• Maldives

• Marshall Islands

• Nepal

• Palau Islands

• Qatar

• Samoa

• Saudi Arabia

• Sierra Leone

• Somalia

• St. Helena

• Tajikistan

• Timor-Leste

• Tuvalu

E-Visa Countries for South African Passport Holders

Here is the list of countries that provide an E-Visa to the citizens of South Africa:

• Albania

• Azerbaijan

• Bahrain

• Bangladesh

• Burkina Faso

• Cameroon

• Congo (Dem. Rep.)

• Cuba

• Equatorial Guinea

• Guinea

• India

• Japan

• Kazakhstan

• Mauritania

• Myanmar

• Nigeria

• Pakistan

• São Tomé and Príncipe

• Suriname

• Syria

• Togo

• Turkiye

• Uganda

• Ukraine

• United Arab Emirates

• Uzbekistan

• Vietnam

The South African passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 103 countries and is ranked 51st globally. 

To ensure a smooth travel experience, it's essential to keep your passport valid for at least six months and carry the following documents: return tickets, accommodation details, and proof of sufficient funds.

For the latest visa updates and hassle-free travel planning, Atlys provides expert guidance tailored to South African travellers.