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🇿🇦South Africa
🇬🇭GhanaZA-GH

South Africa to Ghana visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders do NOT pay for a Ghana visa, but since 25 May 2026 they must obtain a FREE Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before travelling, applied for via the official Ghana Immigration Service e-Visa portal. Following Ghana's continental visa-fee waiver (executive approval December 2024, rolled out through 2025) and the launch of the new national e-Visa platform on 25 May 2026, nationals of all African Union member states — including South Africa — travel to Ghana without paying a visa fee. However, as Ghana's authorities stress, "free does not mean frictionless": African travellers must still apply for and be granted a free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before departure. The ETA replaces the old paid tourist visa and the earlier visa-on-arrival practice for AU nationals. A South African ordinary passport holder therefore registers on evisa.immigration.gov.gh, completes the ETA application (passport bio-data, photo, travel details, yellow fever certificate), and receives the authorisation electronically at no cost. Non-African nationals instead pay an e-Visa fee starting at USD 260. A yellow fever vaccination certificate remains mandatory for entry, and the passport should be valid for at least six months with two blank pages. Because the ETA is a mandatory pre-travel formality (not pure visa-free entry, and not a paid visa), the most accurate single verdict for a short tourist trip is an ETA.
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for African Union nationals
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry (short tourist visit)
per entry
Entries
Single entry (per ETA application)
from issue date
Visa fee
Free (USD 0 for African Union nationals; non-Africans pay e-Visa from USD 260)
consular fee only
Processing time
Approx. 3–7 business days (standard); apply well before travel
standard track
Validity
Valid for travel within 3 months of issue
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm ETA eligibility
Go to the official Ghana Immigration Service portal (evisa.immigration.gov.gh) and use the 'Check Eligibility' tool. As an African Union (South African) passport holder you qualify for the free ETA pathway rather than the paid e-Visa.
· evisa.immigration.gov.gh· Official portal only
/02
Create an account and start the ETA application
Register with your email, select the tourism/short-visit purpose, and begin the Electronic Travel Authorisation application form.
· Tourism / short visit
/03
Complete the application and upload documents
Enter your travel details and upload your passport bio-data page, a recent passport photo, accommodation/return-ticket details and your yellow fever vaccination certificate.
· Yellow fever certificate required
/04
Submit the ETA request
Review and submit. There is no visa fee for African Union nationals, though a small online service/processing charge may apply on the platform.
· No visa fee
/05
Receive ETA approval electronically
Wait for screening and approval (allow several business days). The approved ETA is delivered to you electronically — print or save a copy.
· Print confirmation
/06
Travel and present documents on arrival
At a Ghanaian port of entry, present your passport, ETA confirmation and yellow fever certificate to the immigration officer, who grants the actual length of stay.
· Carry yellow fever card
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
South Africa -> Ghana · Free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for African Union nationals
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least 2 blank passport pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Ghana ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) obtained before departure
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredValid yellow fever vaccination certificate
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent passport-style photograph for the application
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredPassport bio-data page scan/copy
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RecommendedReturn or onward travel ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedProof of accommodation / hotel booking
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
OptionalTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
optional
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
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.
Official sourcesGhana Immigration Service – Official e-Visa & ETA PortalGhana Launches New E-Visa Portal and ETA System – Erickson Immigration GroupGhana ends visa requirements for Africans – Africanews
Application link included: Ghana Immigration Service – Official e-Visa & ETA Portal
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
ETA for African Union nationals (incl. South Africa)USD 0Visa fee waived; ETA issued free of charge
Online platform service/processing chargeapprox. USD 0–10Possible small portal handling charge; varies by payment gateway
e-Visa (non-African nationals, for reference)from USD 260Single-entry standard; not applicable to South African passport holders
Yellow fever vaccinationapprox. ZAR 300–600Cost of obtaining the mandatory vaccination/certificate in South Africa
Total estimate0 — USD 10incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard ETA processing
3–7 business days
Recommended route for South African tourists; apply at least 1–2 weeks before departure to allow for screening.
Priority / express (if offered)
24–72 hours
Faster handling may be available on the e-Visa platform for an additional charge; mainly relevant to paid e-Visa categories.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Ghana's continental visa-fee waiver
Ghana approved visa-free entry for all African passport holders (executive approval Dec 2024), eliminating visa fees for South African travellers.
High
/02
New e-Visa/ETA platform launched 25 May 2026
Ghana's national e-Visa portal now routes African Union nationals to a mandatory but free Electronic Travel Authorisation rather than a paid visa.
High
/03
'Free does not mean frictionless'
Ghanaian authorities confirmed the fee waiver still requires a pre-travel ETA application and screening, so an authorisation must be secured before boarding.
High
/04
Yellow fever entry requirement
A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all travellers entering Ghana, including South Africans.
Medium
/05
Outdated legacy sources
Some older pages still mention paid tourist visas or visa-on-arrival; these predate the 2025–2026 ETA reform and should not be relied upon.
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 · major
South Africa to Ghana route verified
Confirmed that since the 25 May 2026 launch of Ghana's national e-Visa platform, South African (African Union) ordinary passport holders obtain a free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before travel rather than a paid visa; yellow fever certificate remains mandatory.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do South Africans need a visa for Ghana in 2026?—
No paid visa is required. Since 25 May 2026, South African (African Union) passport holders must instead obtain a FREE Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before travelling to Ghana.
How much does the Ghana ETA cost for South Africans?+
Where do I apply for the Ghana ETA?+
Is a yellow fever certificate required for Ghana?+
How long can South Africans stay in Ghana?+
Can I still get a visa on arrival in Ghana?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the South Africa passport

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South Africa passport power
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