🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM

🇿🇦SOUTH AFRICAGB-ZA

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit South Africa?

Q: Does the new South African ETA apply to UK travellers?

No. As of May 2026 the Electronic Travel Authorisation applies only to nationals of China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. UK citizens remain on the traditional visa-exempt list and need no ETA.

Q: Can I stay longer than 90 days?

Yes, but you must apply for an extension through the Department of Home Affairs before your authorised period expires. Overstaying can result in being declared undesirable and banned from re-entry.

Q: What documents might immigration ask for on arrival?

Be ready to show a return or onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds, and your accommodation details. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you are arriving from a risk country.

Q: Is the 90-day stay per visit or per year?

It is per visit. Each entry is assessed individually by the immigration officer, who grants up to 90 days.

UK ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for South Africa. You may enter visa-free for tourism or business for up to 90 days per visit. British citizens holding an ordinary passport are visa-exempt for South Africa and may stay up to 90 days for tourism or business without applying for anything in advance. A visa-free entry stamp is granted on arrival at the port of entry. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your planned departure date and have at least two blank pages for entry/exit stamps. South Africa began phasing in an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in late 2025, but as of May 2026 it applies only to nationals of China, India, Indonesia and Mexico — it does NOT apply to UK citizens, who remain on the traditional visa-exempt list. You should be ready to show a return/onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. To stay beyond 90 days you must apply for an extension via the Department of Home Affairs before your authorised period expires; overstaying can result in being declared an undesirable person and banned from re-entry.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free (visa exemption)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days per visit

per entry

Entries

Multiple (each visit re-assessed on arrival)

from issue date

Visa fee

R0 (free)

consular fee only

Processing time

None – stamped on arrival

standard track

Validity

Entry granted at the discretion of the immigration officer at the port of entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your eligibility

Verify you hold a UK ordinary passport. British citizens are on South Africa's 90-day visa-exempt list, so no visa or ETA is required for a short tourist stay.

· Visa-free· UK ordinary passport

/02

Check passport validity and blank pages

Ensure your passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure date from South Africa and has a minimum of two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

· 30 days validity· 2 blank pages

/03

Prepare supporting documents

Carry a confirmed return or onward ticket and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. Immigration officers may ask to see accommodation details and these documents.

· Return ticket· Proof of funds

/04

Check yellow fever and health requirements

If you are arriving from or have transited a yellow fever risk country, carry a valid vaccination certificate. No vaccination is required if travelling directly from the UK.

· Yellow fever certificate if applicable

/05

Receive your visa-free stamp on arrival

At the port of entry, present your passport. The immigration officer stamps your authorised stay (up to 90 days). Check the date written on the stamp to know your exact departure deadline.

· Stamp on arrival· Up to 90 days

/06

Extend before expiry if needed

To remain beyond your granted period, apply for an extension through the Department of Home Affairs before it expires. Do not overstay — overstaying can lead to a re-entry ban.

· Home Affairs· Avoid overstay

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 8 complete

UK ordinary passport valid 30+ days beyond departure

required

At least two blank passport pages

required

Confirmed return or onward flight ticket

required

Proof of sufficient funds for the stay

required

Accommodation / hotel booking details

recommended

Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from a risk country)

conditional

Travel/medical insurance

recommended

Cash declaration if carrying over R25,000 or equivalent of USD 10,000

conditional

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa feeR0No visa required for UK ordinary passport holders

ETA feeR0ETA does not apply to UK citizens (only China, India, Indonesia, Mexico as of May 2026)

Visa extension (if staying beyond 90 days)~R425Optional, payable to Department of Home Affairs if you apply to extend

Total estimateR0 — R0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry on arrival

Immediate (at passport control)

No prior application. The immigration officer grants up to 90 days on arrival at the port of entry.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and sightseeing

Visiting destinations such as Cape Town, Kruger National Park, the Garden Route and the Winelands for leisure.

High

/02

Visiting family or friends

Short social visits to relatives or friends resident in South Africa.

High

/03

Business meetings and conferences

Attending meetings, conferences or short-term business activities (not paid employment) is also covered by the 90-day visa-free entry.

Medium

/04

Transit and onward travel

Stopping in South Africa en route to neighbouring countries such as Namibia, Botswana or Mozambique.

Medium

/05

Safari and adventure travel

Wildlife safaris, hiking and adventure tourism trips.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

United Kingdom to South Africa route verified

Confirmed via the UK FCDO travel advice and the South African Department of Home Affairs that UK ordinary passport holders remain visa-free for up to 90 days. Verified that the new ETA (phased from late 2025) applies only to China, India, Indonesia and Mexico and does NOT affect UK travellers.

/09 — The questions