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The following is required when arriving / applying:

- Passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit.
- Passports must contain at least 1 (one) unused page for entry/departure
endorsements (sometimes referred to as visa page).
- Payment of the prescribed fee, if applicable (see Countries exempt from visa control).
- A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act.
- Statement and/or documentation confirming purpose and duration of visit.
- Two (2) identity photographs (see specifications below).
- Proof of financial means in the form of:
bank statements;
salary advices;
undertaking(s) by the host(s) in the Republic;
bursaries;
medical cover;
or cash available, including credit cards or travellers' cheques
to cover the living expenses during the sojourn in the Republic.

Applicants traveling by air must be in possession of:

- a return or onward ticket; or
- proof of sufficient funds; or
- lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value to such a ticket.

Countries exempt from South African visas

The exemptions pertain to ordinary, diplomatic and official passport holders.

Visas are not required by citizens of the following countries for the periods and subject to the conditions indicated:
Holders of passports of Australia, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland including the British Islands
Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands, the Republic of Ireland as well as British Overseas Territories are totally exempt from South African visa control and thus do not require visas for any purpose regulated by visas.

Please note:

Nationals of the British Dependent Territories are subject to visa control.
The Territories are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Cucie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Country Condition

- Andorra - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Antigua and Barbuda - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Argentina - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Austria - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Barbados - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Belgium - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Belize - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Benin - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Bolivia - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Botswana - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Brazil - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Canada - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Cape Verde - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Chile - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Costa Rica - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Cyprus - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits. Diplomatic and official passport holders visiting the RSA for holiday purposes are exempt for 90 days.
- Czech Republic - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits. Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Denmark - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Ecuador- Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits.
- Egypt - Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Finland - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- France - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Gabon - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Germany - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Greece - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Guyana - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Hong Kong - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits. This exemption is only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National - Overseas (BNO)
passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports.
- Hungary - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits. Diplomatic and official passport holders visiting the RSA for holiday purposes are exempt for 120 days.
- Iceland - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Israel - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Italy - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Jamaica - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Japan - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Jordan - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Lesotho - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Liechtenstein - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Luxemburg - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Macau - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits. This exemption is only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR).
- Malaysia - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Maldives - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Malta - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits. Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Mauritius - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Mexico - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Monaco - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Morocco - Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Namibia - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Netherlands (Kingdom of the) - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- New Zealand - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Norway - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Paraguay - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Peru - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Poland - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits. Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Portugal - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Romania - Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- San Marino - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Seychelles - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Singapore - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Slovak Republic - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- South Korea - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Spain - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- St Vincent & the Grenadines - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Swaziland - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Sweden - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Switzerland - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Taiwan (Republic of China) - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Thailand - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Tunisia - Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Turkey - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- United States of America - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Uruguay - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Venezuela - Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
- Zambia - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits
- Zimbabwe - Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits.