Your South African passport may feel like a limitation, but did you know it’s the strongest passport in Africa? In fact, there are countries where you can travel visa free.
This means that you can finally take that gap year, or a proper vacation after completing your year of study at college or university—without the hassle of travel documentation and administration.
Ready to find out which countries South Africans can travel to visa free? Then read on!
*List updated in December 2023
Table of Contents
Travel Visa Free to Countries in Africa
16 African countries welcome South Africans without the need for a visa, as long as you’re going there on holiday and don’t plan on moving in.
The 16 African countries that you can travel to are:
Africa
Angola
Benin
Botswana
eSwatini
Gabon
Gambia
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Reunion
Zambia
Senegal
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Tunisia
In some African countries, you will only need to get a visa on arrival. These are:
- Cape Verde Islands
- Comoro Islands
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Madagascar
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- St Helena
- Togo
- Uganda
- Djibouti
Travel Visa Free to Countries in South and Central America
Just about all of South America is open to South Africans visa-free. With nothing but your passport (and hopefully some clean clothes) you can make your way to:
South America and Central America
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Falkland Islands
Grenada
Grenadines
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Montserrat
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Trinidad and Tobago
Saint Lucia
Uruguay
Saint Vincent
Venezuala
Turks and Caicos Islands
Travel Visa Free to Countries in Europe
Travelling to Europe as a South African is difficult, but you can travel to the following European countries without needing to have a visa:
- Georgia
- Russian Federation
- Kosovo
- Ireland
Travel Visa Free to Countries in Asia
South Africans can visit quite a few minor Asian countries without a visa. Here’s a list of the following countries in Asia that you can travel to.
Asia
Cambodia*
Malaysia
South Korea
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Maldives
Sri Lanka*
Indonesia
Nepal*
Tajikistan*
Kyrgyzstan*
Pakistan*
Thailand
Laos*
Phillipines
Timor-Leste*
Macao (SAR China)
Singapore
*You will be given a visa upon arrival in: Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Laos.
Travel Visa Free to Countries in the Middle East
Your choices in the Middle East are quite limited, but there are a few countries in the Middle East that you can visit without needing a visa, and those marked with an asterix* that will give you one upon arrival:
- Armenia*
- Jordan*
- Qatar
- Iran*
- Oman
- Israel
- Palestinian Territories
- Saudi Arabia*
Travel Visa Free to Countries in Oceania
Looking for somewhere tropical and a little closer to home? You can visit a few countries in Oceania without needing a visa.
Oceania
Cook Islands
Micronesia
Samoa*
Fiji
Niue
Tuvalu*
Marshall Islands*
Palau Islands*
Vanuatu
*You will be given a visa upon arrival in: Samoa, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and Palau Islands.
Tips for Students Who Would Like to Travel
If you’re excited to visit any one of the above countries visa free, then be sure to follow our top tips for travelling as a student:
- Research your destination before you go and make sure that you’re aware of all the rules, procedures and cultural do’s and don’ts to avoid being disrespectful.
- Save up enough money before you go on your trip and leave a set amount aside in case of emergencies.
- Talk to someone who has travelled to the country you’d like to go to before you decide where you want to go.
- Make sure you have all the right documentation, such as your passport, ID, driver’s licence and any other documents required of you (this will depend on the country you’re travelling to)
- Pack an emergency medical aid kit in case any injuries occur during your outdoor trips
- Confirm all your accommodation bookings and travel arrangements prior to your arrival
Fund Your Studies with Fundi
Travelling is always a fantastic venture for any student living in South Africa. If you’re looking to study via distance learning while you travel, and are in need of funding, then Fundi can help!
Fundi offers funding to South African students and covers a large variety of educational costs, including accommodation, tuition fees and more! Find out if you qualify for a study loan today and start your educational journey.
