Up to 30 days per visit under the visa exemption, as stamped by the immigration officer on arrival.

🇹🇷TÜRKIYE

🇿🇦SOUTH AFRICATR-ZA

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

Q: Is there any fee or online application?

No. There is no eVisa, no visa-on-arrival fee and no application. Entry is granted free at the port of entry.

Q: What documents do I need at the border?

A passport valid at least 30 days beyond departure (6 months recommended) with two blank pages, a confirmed return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds.

Q: Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?

You cannot extend the visa-free exemption beyond 30 days for tourism. To stay longer, you must obtain a visitor's visa from a South African mission before travelling.

Q: Does this apply to diplomatic or official passports?

This guide covers ordinary passports. Diplomatic and official passport holders may have separate arrangements; check with the South African mission.

No visa needed. Turkish ordinary passport holders can enter South Africa visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. Türkiye (TR) ordinary passport holders are visa-exempt for short tourist visits to South Africa. South Africa grants Turkish citizens holding ordinary passports visa-free entry for up to 30 days for holiday/tourism purposes. No prior application, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival is needed — a port-of-entry visitor's stamp is issued on arrival. Travelers must hold a passport valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended departure date (6 months is strongly recommended) with at least two blank pages, and be able to show proof of onward or return travel and sufficient funds. To stay longer than 30 days, or for any non-tourism purpose, a visitor's visa must be obtained in advance from a South African mission. This verdict was confirmed on 2026-05-30 against the South African visa policy, the SA Embassy in Ankara, the Department of Home Affairs exempt-countries list, and IATA-based Sherpa data.

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.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free (visa exemption)

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days

per entry

Entries

Multiple (per entry, within exemption)

from issue date

Visa fee

ZAR 0 / free

consular fee only

Processing time

None – stamped on arrival

standard track

Validity

Per entry; passport valid 6 months recommended

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport validity

Ensure your Turkish ordinary passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure from South Africa; 6 months validity is strongly recommended. It must have at least two blank visa pages.

· Before booking

/02

Book return or onward travel

Hold a confirmed return or onward ticket out of South Africa. Immigration officers may ask to see it at the port of entry.

· Required document

/03

Prepare supporting documents

Carry proof of accommodation, sufficient funds for your stay, and travel/medical insurance. No application or fee is required in advance.

· No fee

/04

Travel to South Africa

Fly to an international airport such as O.R. Tambo (Johannesburg) or Cape Town International. No visa label or pre-approval is needed.

· No eVisa needed

/05

Clear immigration on arrival

Present your passport, return ticket and supporting documents. The officer issues a visitor's entry stamp authorising up to 30 days for tourism.

· At port of entry

/06

Observe the 30-day limit

Depart within the stamped period. To stay longer or change purpose, apply for the relevant visitor's visa at a South African mission before the exemption is exceeded.

· Overstay penalties apply

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 8 complete

Turkish ordinary passport valid 6 months beyond stay

required

At least two blank visa pages

required

Confirmed return or onward ticket

required

Proof of accommodation (hotel/host)

required

Proof of sufficient funds for the stay

recommended

Travel/medical insurance

recommended

Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from an endemic country)

conditional

Stay within 30-day limit

required

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa feeZAR 0Visa-free for stays up to 30 days

eVisa / application feeZAR 0No online application required

Visa-on-arrival feeZAR 0No VOA – a free entry stamp is issued

Total estimateZAR 0 — ZAR 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry on arrival

Immediate (at port of entry)

Border officer issues a visitor's stamp for up to 30 days; no prior application or fee.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and short holidays

Sightseeing, safaris and leisure trips of up to 30 days are the core use of the visa exemption.

High

/02

Visiting friends and relatives

Short family or social visits within 30 days fall under the same visa-free allowance.

Medium

/03

Short business meetings

Attending meetings or conferences without paid local employment is generally accepted within the exemption.

Medium

/04

Transit and stopovers

Passing through South Africa to another destination while clearing immigration.

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

Türkiye to South Africa route verified

Confirmed visa-free entry for Turkish ordinary passport holders for up to 30 days for tourism, cross-checked against the South African visa policy, the SA Embassy in Ankara, the Home Affairs exempt-countries list and IATA-based Sherpa data. No policy change.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Turkish citizens need a visa for South Africa?—

No. Holders of an ordinary Turkish passport can enter South Africa visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. A visa is only needed for longer or non-tourism stays.

How long can I stay?+

Is there any fee or online application?+

What documents do I need at the border?+

Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?+

Does this apply to diplomatic or official passports?+

/11 — Passport tools