Up to 30 days per visit. To stay longer, you must apply for a visa in advance at a South African mission.

No. DHA's exemption list shows no visa fee for Republic of Korea ordinary-passport exempt stays up to 30 days.

🇰🇷South Korea

🇿🇦South AfricaKR-ZA

South Korea to South Africa visa requirements

Q: Do I need South Africa's ETA?

No for this route. The ETA rollout is for visa-required nationalities and current official guidance focuses on China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, not visa-exempt South Korean ordinary passport holders.

Q: What documents should I carry on arrival?

A passport valid at least 30 days beyond departure with two blank pages, a return/onward ticket, proof of funds, and accommodation details.

Q: Can I work or study on this visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free entry is for tourism, visiting, and short business meetings only — not for paid work or long-term study.

No visa needed for short tourism. South Korean ordinary passport holders are visa-exempt for South Africa for stays up to 30 days. South Korea is on South Africa's visa-exemption list. Ordinary Korean passport holders may enter for tourism, holidays, conferences, business meetings, or transit without applying for a visa in advance for stays up to 30 days per visit. DHA's list marks Republic of Korea (South Korea) with an asterisk and no visa fee, meaning visa fees apply only if the intended visit exceeds 30 days. South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), announced in September 2025, is being rolled out for visa-required nationalities and current official guidance focuses on China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, so it is not required for visa-exempt South Korean ordinary passport holders. Travelers should still meet standard entry conditions: a passport valid at least 30 days beyond intended departure, two unused visa pages according to the South African Embassy in Seoul, proof of onward/return travel, sufficient funds, and a yellow-fever certificate if arriving from or transiting through a risk area. If a stay longer than 30 days or a non-exempt activity is required, apply in advance through a South African mission.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20

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.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20

Visa type

Visa-free (DHA visa exemption)

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days per entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple (each visit up to 30 days)

from issue date

Visa fee

Free (ZAR 0) for exempt stays up to 30 days

consular fee only

Processing time

None before travel for eligible short visits

standard track

Validity

Visitor status is determined at entry for the approved stay

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your visa-exempt status

South Korean ordinary passport holders are on South Africa's visa-exemption list and may enter for tourism without a pre-arranged visa for up to 30 days. No advance application is needed.

· No visa application· 30-day limit

/02

Check your passport validity and blank pages

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

· Valid 30+ days beyond departure· 2 blank pages

/03

Prepare supporting documents

Carry proof of a return or onward ticket, evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, and accommodation details. Immigration officers may ask for these at the port of entry.

· Return ticket· Proof of funds

/04

Confirm no ETA is required

South Africa's ETA rollout is for visa-required nationalities and currently focuses on China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. Visa-exempt South Korean ordinary passport holders do not need an ETA for a 30-day exempt visit.

· No ETA needed

/05

Arrive and receive your entry permission

On arrival at a South African port of entry (e.g. OR Tambo International Airport), present your passport and documents. Immigration determines admission and the allowed stay at entry.

· Entry stamp· At port of entry

/06

Do not overstay 30 days

If you need to stay longer than 30 days or visit for a purpose outside the exemption, apply for an appropriate visa in advance at a South African mission. Overstaying can lead to being declared an undesirable person.

· Apply ahead for longer stays

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

South Korea -> South Africa · Visa-free (DHA visa exemption)

0 / 10 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredKorean ordinary passport valid 30+ days beyond departure

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredAt least two consecutive blank passport pages

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredReturn or onward flight ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

required

RecommendedAccommodation booking or host details

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

ConditionalYellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RequiredPlanned stay of 30 days or less

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

Official sourcesSouth Africa Department of Home Affairs — Visa Exemption List (issued 09 Dec 2025)South African Embassy, Seoul — Visa information and entry requirements South Africa Department of Home Affairs — South African visas / entry requirements

Application link included: South Africa Department of Home Affairs — Visa Exemption List (issued 09 Dec 2025)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist entry (visa exemption)ZAR 0No visa fee for exempt stays up to 30 days

ETA feeZAR 0Not applicable — ETA does not apply to visa-exempt Koreans

Visa for stays over 30 daysVariesOnly if applying for a longer-stay visa at a South African mission

Total estimateZAR 0 — ZAR 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry

No advance processing

No visa application is required for an eligible exempt visit of up to 30 days; admission and the allowed stay are determined at the port of entry.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and sightseeing

Visiting Cape Town, Kruger National Park, the Garden Route, and other attractions for a short holiday.

High

/02

Visiting friends or family

Short personal visits to relatives or friends residing in South Africa.

Medium

/03

Short business meetings

Attending meetings or conferences within the 30-day exemption (not paid employment).

Medium

/04

Transit and stopover

Passing through South Africa en route to another destination.

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

2026-06-20

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-20

South Korea to South Africa route re-verified

Confirmed against DHA's 09 Dec 2025 exemption list that Republic of Korea ordinary passport holders remain visa-exempt for up to 30 days with no visa fee for exempt visits. Refreshed entry-condition language, replaced the stale Port-of-Entry-Visa wording with visa-exempt entry/visitor permission at the port of entry, and confirmed ETA rollout does not target visa-exempt Korean ordinary passport holders.

2026-05-30

South Korea to South Africa route verified

Confirmed via the South African Department of Home Affairs exempt-countries list and the South African Embassy in Seoul that Korean ordinary passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 30 days for tourism, with no fee. Verified that South Africa's new ETA system (late 2025) does not apply to visa-exempt Korean nationals.

/09 — The questions