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

Taiwan ordinary passport holders need a visa before traveling to South Africa for tourism. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry, and Taiwan is not on South Africa's eVisa-eligible list, so a sticker visitor visa must be obtained in advance from the Liaison Office of South Africa in Taipei. As of May 2026, holders of an ordinary Taiwan (ROC) passport are NOT visa-exempt for South Africa and cannot use visa-on-arrival. They must apply for a visitor's visa (for stays under 90 days) before departure. South Africa operates an online eVisa system, but it covers only a defined list of nationalities (e.g. China, Japan, India, Nigeria, Kenya, France, Germany); Taiwan is not included, so Taiwanese travelers fall under the regular embassy/consulate ("sticker") visa route. Applications are lodged with the Liaison Office of South Africa in Taipei (which handles South African consular and immigration matters in Taiwan) using form DHA-84, submitted with supporting documents. The visa is normally issued as a single-entry visitor visa valid for the dates of the intended visit, allowing a stay of up to 90 days. Processing is typically around 5 working days once a complete application is received, though travelers should allow 5-10 working days. South Africa has been piloting an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), but it is not yet a general replacement for the Taiwanese tourist-visa requirement, so the conservative and correct path remains the embassy visitor visa. Passports must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended departure date and contain at least two blank pages; proof of funds, return ticket and accommodation are required.