Do South Korea passport holders need a visa to visit South Africa?

No visa needed for short tourism. South Korean ordinary passport holders get a free visa-exempt entry (Port of Entry Visa) on arrival in 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 without applying for a visa in advance and receive a free entry stamp (a "Port of Entry Visa") valid for up to 30 days per visit. No fee applies as long as the visit does not exceed 30 days. South Africa's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, rolled out from late 2025, does NOT apply to visa-exempt nationals such as South Koreans — it currently targets only nationals of countries that normally require a visa (e.g. China, India, Indonesia, Mexico). Travelers should still meet standard entry conditions: a passport valid at least 30 days beyond intended departure with at least two blank pages, proof of onward/return travel, and sufficient funds. If a stay longer than 30 days is required, a visa must be obtained in advance from a South African mission. Always confirm with the South African Embassy in Seoul before departure, as exemption terms can change.