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🇵🇭PHILIPPINES
🇿🇦SOUTH AFRICAPH-ZA

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

Yes — a visa is required. Philippine ordinary passport holders must obtain a South African eVisa online before travel; there is no visa-free entry and no visa-on-arrival. Philippine ordinary passport holders are not visa-exempt for South Africa and cannot get a visa on arrival. The Philippines is on South Africa's official eVisa-eligible list, so the practical route for a short tourist visit is to apply for a tourist (visitor) eVisa through the Department of Home Affairs ePermit portal before departure. The eVisa is electronically linked to your passport and currently must be used to enter via O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. A standard visitor visa permits a short stay (commonly up to 90 days for tourism, subject to the officer's discretion at the port of entry). Philippines is NOT included in South Africa's newer ETA scheme (as of late 2025 the ETA pilot covers only China, India, Indonesia and Mexico), so the eVisa remains the correct pathway. Always verify current fees and processing on the official DHA portal, as figures and accepted entry ports can change.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE 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.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist / Visitor eVisa (electronic visa, applied online before travel)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry (granted at officer's discretion)
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
Government fee approx. ZAR 425–470 (about USD 25); plus any service charges
consular fee only
Processing time
Typically a few business days; allow up to 10 working days
standard track
Validity
Use within validity window shown on the eVisa; stay up to 90 days
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm eligibility and entry port
Verify your Philippine ordinary passport is eVisa-eligible (it is) and plan to enter via O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, which is the designated eVisa port of entry.
· Passport valid 6+ months· Enter via O.R. Tambo (JNB)
/02
Register on the DHA eVisa portal
Create an account on the South African Department of Home Affairs ePermit/eVisa portal (ehome.dha.gov.za) using a valid email address.
· Official portal only· Valid email required
/03
Complete the online application
Fill in personal details, passport data, travel dates and South African accommodation/itinerary; select the visitor (tourist) visa category.
· Visitor/tourist category· Accurate travel dates
/04
Upload supporting documents
Upload a passport bio-page scan, recent photo, proof of onward/return ticket, accommodation booking, and proof of sufficient funds.
· Bio-page + photo· Return ticket + funds
/05
Pay the eVisa fee online
Pay the government visa fee by credit/debit card on the portal; processing begins after payment is confirmed.
· Card payment· Processing starts after payment
/06
Receive eVisa and travel
Receive the approved eVisa by email, print a copy, and present it with your passport and supporting documents on arrival at O.R. Tambo.
· Print the eVisa· Carry supporting docs
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Philippine ordinary passport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay
required
At least two blank visa pages in passport
required
Approved South African eVisa (printed copy)
required
Confirmed return or onward air ticket
required
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation)
required
Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements)
required
Recent passport-size photograph (35mm x 45mm)
required
Travel/medical insurance covering the trip
recommended
Detailed travel itinerary
recommended
Yellow fever certificate (only if arriving from a risk country)
conditional
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Government eVisa (visitor) feeapprox. ZAR 425–470Roughly USD 25; paid online by card on the DHA portal
VFS / service or facilitation fee (if applied via a center)approx. ZAR 200–600Only if you use a Visa Application Centre or agent; eVisa portal itself avoids this
Travel insurance (optional)approx. ZAR 300–800Recommended; cost varies by trip length and coverage
Total estimateZAR 425ZAR 1100incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Embassy / VFS submission
10–15 working days
In-person route via the Visa Application Centre in Makati; slower and adds service fees.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Tourism and sightseeing
Visiting Cape Town, safari parks (Kruger), and the Garden Route for leisure.
High
/02
Visiting friends or relatives
Short family or social visits to residents in South Africa.
Medium
/03
Business meetings / conferences
Short business trips, meetings or attending events (visitor visa covers short business visits).
Medium
/04
Transit / stopover
Connecting through O.R. Tambo 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
2026-05-30
Philippines to South Africa route verified
Confirmed via South Africa DHA eVisa portal and the official visa policy that Philippine ordinary passport holders are not visa-free and not on the new ETA list (China/India/Indonesia/Mexico only); the eVisa, used at O.R. Tambo, remains the correct route for short tourist stays.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Filipinos need a visa to visit South Africa?
Yes. Philippine ordinary passport holders are not visa-exempt and must obtain a South African eVisa online before traveling. There is no visa on arrival.
Can I get a visa on arrival in South Africa?+
Which airport can I enter with an eVisa?+
How long can I stay on a tourist eVisa?+
Is the new South Africa ETA available to Filipinos?+
How long does the eVisa take?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Philippines passport

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