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🇿🇦South Africa

🇨🇫Central African RepublicZA-CF

South Africa to Central African Republic visa requirements

Q: Is there an official CAR eVisa?

No. The Central African Republic has no official government eVisa system. Websites advertising a CAR 'eVisa' are third-party agencies; the official channel is the embassy in Pretoria.

Q: How long can I stay on a tourist visa?

A standard short-stay tourist visa usually permits up to 30 days. Longer variants of up to 90 days are available depending on the visa issued.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?

Yes. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry and is checked on arrival, and is also typically needed to lodge the visa application.

Q: How long does processing take?

Roughly 5–7 working days once a complete application is submitted, though it can take up to several weeks. Apply well before your departure date.

Q: Is the Central African Republic in the Schengen area?

No. The CAR is in Central Africa and is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.

South African ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter the Central African Republic. There is no eVisa or visa-on-arrival, so you must apply in advance at the CAR Embassy/Consulate in Pretoria before you travel. A South African (ZA) ordinary passport holder traveling to the Central African Republic (CF) for tourism or a short visit requires a visa obtained in advance. The CAR does not operate an official electronic-visa (eVisa) system and does not grant visa-on-arrival at Bangui M'Poko airport or land borders; "eVisa" listings seen online belong to third-party agencies, not the CAR government. Applications are made through the Central African Republic Embassy/Consulate in Pretoria (or another CAR diplomatic mission), where you submit a completed form, passport, photos, proof of a yellow fever vaccination, and supporting travel documents in person or by appointment. A short-stay tourist visa typically permits stays of up to 30 days (extendable variants up to 90 days exist), is valid for entry within a set window from issue, and takes roughly one to several weeks to process. CAR is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Note that the CAR carries serious travel-advisory warnings from multiple governments, so confirm current security and entry conditions before booking. Because no reliable no-visa channel exists for South African nationals, the conservative and correct verdict is visa-required.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE 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.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Embassy/consular tourist visa (sticker) – no eVisa or visa-on-arrival

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days typical (90-day variants available)

per entry

Entries

Single entry (multiple-entry available on request)

from issue date

Visa fee

Approx. USD 100–150 government fee (paid in USD/EUR; varies by mission)

consular fee only

Processing time

About 5–7 working days; allow 1–4 weeks

standard track

Validity

Entry usually within 30–90 days of issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm you need a visa and the security situation

South African passport holders require a visa for the CAR. Review your government's travel advisory, as the CAR has high-level safety warnings.

· Visa required· Check advisory

/02

Contact the CAR Embassy/Consulate in Pretoria

Email or call the mission at 209 Eastwood/Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, to book an appointment and request the current application form and document list.

· By appointment· Pretoria

/03

Gather required documents

Prepare your passport (6 months validity, 2 blank pages), passport photos, completed form, yellow fever certificate, return/onward ticket, accommodation proof and an invitation letter if requested.

· Yellow fever required· 2 blank pages

/04

Submit application and pay the fee

Lodge your documents at the embassy in person or as instructed and pay the visa fee (typically in USD or EUR). Keep your payment receipt.

· Pay in USD/EUR

/05

Wait for processing

Allow roughly 5–7 working days, and up to several weeks. Apply well ahead of your travel date.

· ~1–4 weeks

/06

Collect your passport and verify the visa

Retrieve your passport, check that names, dates, entries and validity are correct, and carry your yellow fever certificate when you fly.

· Verify details

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

South Africa -> Central African Republic · Embassy/consular tourist visa (sticker) – no eVisa or visa-on-arrival

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredPassport valid 6+ months beyond entry with at least 2 blank pages

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

required

RequiredCompleted CAR visa application form

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RequiredRecent passport-size photographs (usually 2)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredYellow fever vaccination certificate

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

required

RequiredReturn or onward air ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of accommodation / hotel booking

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredVisa fee in the currency requested by the mission (USD/EUR)

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

required

RecommendedInvitation letter or host details

Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements

recommended

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds (bank statement)

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

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip

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

recommended

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.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesWikipedia – Visa requirements for South African citizens Embassy of the Central African Republic in Pretoria, South Africa (EmbassyPages)Central African Republic Visa – Requirements & Application (VisaHQ)

Application link included: Wikipedia – Visa requirements for South African citizens

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa government fee~USD 100–150Varies by mission, visa duration and number of entries

Multiple-entry surcharge+USD 50–100If you request multiple entries or longer validity

Courier / return postage (optional)~ZAR 150–300Only if the mission offers a postal return service

Total estimateUSD 100 — USD 250incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard embassy processing

5–7 working days

Typical turnaround once a complete application is submitted at the CAR mission in Pretoria.

Allow extra buffer

1–4 weeks

Processing can take longer; apply early, especially before peak travel periods.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No visa-waiver agreement

South Africa and the Central African Republic have no mutual visa-exemption arrangement for ordinary passports.

High

/02

No official eVisa system

The CAR does not run a government eVisa portal; online 'eVisa' offers are third-party agencies.

High

/03

No visa-on-arrival

Visas are not issued at Bangui airport or land borders, so advance application is mandatory.

High

/04

Health entry control

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required and checked on arrival.

Medium

/05

Security and advisory conditions

High-level travel advisories mean entry and movement are tightly controlled.

Medium

/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

South Africa to Central African Rep. route verified

Confirmed via Wikipedia, the CAR Embassy in Pretoria, VisaHQ and the U.S. State Department that South African ordinary passport holders require an advance embassy/consular visa; no official eVisa or visa-on-arrival exists, and the CAR is not in the Schengen area.

/09 — The questions