Full names of countries whose citizens can visit South Africa without visa in 2026

• South Africa's Department of Home Affairs published an official list of countries whose citizens can enter the country without a visa
• Zimbabwe, India, China, and over 100 other nations appeared on the visa-free list for South Africa
• African Union and United Nations Laissez-Passer holders were also among those granted visa-free access to South Africa

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has published an official list of countries whose citizens are permitted to enter the country without a visa, covering more than 100 nations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond.

The list includes several major African nations such as Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, Tanzania, Cape Verde.

African and International passport holders covered

According to the South African government and VFS Global, holders of the African Union Laissez-Passer and the SADC Laissez-Passer are also granted visa-free entry, alongside United Nations Laissez-Passer holders, extending the exemption beyond individual country passports to recognised supranational travel documents.

Among the non-African countries on the list are the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Greece, Iceland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Slovak Republic, Malta, Cyprus, and Liechtenstein.

Several Asian and Middle Eastern nations are also included, among them India, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Jordan, and Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China). South Korea also features on the list with conditions attached.

From the Americas, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Bahamas, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are all included, alongside several British Overseas Territories such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the British Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Conditions apply for some countries

Certain countries on the list, including Kenya, Hong Kong, Belize, Benin, Gabon, South Korea, Thailand, and Turkey, are marked with an asterisk, indicating that specific conditions or restrictions apply to their visa-free status. Citizens of these countries are advised to confirm the applicable terms with South African authorities before travelling.

The Russian Federation, Belarus, and several smaller European territories such as Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, and Liechtenstein are also on the list.

Travellers from countries not featured on the published list are required to obtain a visa before entering South Africa.

See the full list below:

90 days visa exemptions

1. African Union Laissez Passer
2. Liechtenstein
3. Andorra
4. Luxemburg
5. Argentina
6. Malta
7. Australia
8. Monaco
9. Austria
10. Netherlands
11. Belgium
12. New Zealand
13. Botswana
14. Norway
15. Brazil
16. Paraguay
17. Canada
18. Portugal
19. Chile
20. San Marino
21. Czech Republic
22. Singapore
23. Denmark
24. Spain
25. Ecuador
26. St Vincent & the Grenadines
27. Finland
28. Sweden
29. France
30. Switzerland
31. Germany
32. Tanzania
33. Greece
34. United Kingdom of Great Britain
35. Iceland
36. Northern Ireland
37. Ireland
38. British Islands of Bailiwick
39. Israel
40. Italy
41. Uruguay
42. Jamaica
43. Venezuela
44. Japan
45. United States of America
46. Zimbabwe

30 Days Visa Exemptions

1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Barbados
3. Belize
4. Benin
5. Bolivia
6. Cape Verde
7. Costa Rica
8. Cyprus
9. Gabon
10. Guyana
11. Hong Kong (only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports)
12. Macau (only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR))
13. Hungary
14. Jordan
15. Lesotho
16. Malaysia
17. Malawi
18. Maldives
19. Mauritius
20. Mozambique
21. Namibia
22. Peru
23. Poland
24. Seychelles
25. Slovak Republic
26. South Korea (Republic)
27. Swaziland
28. Thailand
29. Turkey
30. Zambia

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Ghanaian passport maintains a respectable level of global mobility, granting its holders access to numerous destinations completely visa-free despite regular border restrictions.

These countries span multiple continents, covering vibrant regions across Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Oceania. This provides an excellent opportunity for holidaymakers, business professionals, and adventurers looking to explore the world without the stress of prior immigration approval.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

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