The surprising countries South Africans can travel to without a visa

The South African passport is not the strongest travel document available, but there are still many exciting tourist destinations that allow South Africans hassle-free, visa-free entry.

According to the latest Henley’s Passport Index, South Africa recently dropped out of the world’s top 50 strongest passports, dropping from position 48 to 51. 

South Africans have visa-free access to 101 countries – less than half of the 227 destinations listed on the index.

South Africa’s visa-free access has been slowly declining since 2008, when it was the 35th strongest passport in the world. 

The country’s current position is still an improvement from a low point in 2021 when South Africa fell to number 58 in the world ranking. 

While South Africa may not have visa-free entry to some of the most popular destinations for travellers, including the European Union and the United States, many overlooked destinations are happy to welcome those holding the green passport. 

Here are five surprising countries South Africans can travel to without a visa:

The Bahamas

The idyllic tropical destination, known as a top spot for cruising and beach holidays, is freely open to South Africans, as a fellow, former British Commonwealth country.

The Bahamas consists of 16 islands. It is full of white sand beaches and clear blue waters, and unique experiences like swimming with pigs at Big Major Cay island.

It allows South Africans to enter without obtaining a visa. South African passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. 

This is provided travellers arrive with a passport that is valid for over 6 months, a valid return ticket, hotel confirmation and enough funds to support them during their stay.

While arriving in the country is no problem, getting there is the catch. The Bahamas are mostly accessible by air from the United States, but those who travel through the US are required to have a multiple-entry US visa. 

South Korea

Known for its glittering nightlife and over 5,000 years of culture, South Korea is a premier travel destination for sightseeing, hiking, and gastronomy.

The destination is experiencing a rise in tourism with the growing popularity of Korean music, K-pop and Korean TV series, K-dramas. 

For South African travellers, no visa is required to visit South Korea for up to 30 days. Travellers are required to present a valid passport and complete an arrival card online before travelling to the country.

This open access to South Africans, however, will not last forever. Korea has implemented an Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) that will become compulsory from January 1, 2026.

The ETA can be completed online, but it will come with an added cost. For now, South Korea has put a hold on this requirement to boost tourism. 

Georgia

With its rich culture, natural splendour and a wine-making history that rivals South Africa’s, Georgia is one of the only european countries offering visa-free entry to South Africans. 

South Africans can experience the European allure of ancient monasteries, rolling vineyards and snow-capped mountains, without the expense and effort of a Schengen Visa. 

In fact, South African travellers are permitted to stay in Georgia for up to one full year without applying for a visa. 

This is provided that visitors can show a passport valid for six months, travel insurance and proof of accommodation on arrival.

Georgia is known as the “cradle of wine” with archeologists finding proof of wine-making that dates back as far as 8,000 years. 

Fiji

Located about 1,100 nautical miles from New Zealand, Fiji is made up of over 330 islands, and only about 100 of these are inhabited. 

While the tropical escape might be close in proximity to New Zealand, it does not share in its stricter visa rules, allowing visa-free entry to over 100 countries, including South Africa. 

Entry visas are granted to South Africans on arrival in Fiji, and visitors are permitted to stay for up to 4 months without further documentation. 

South Africans are still required to present a passport valid for six months beyond their planned period of stay, a return ticket home, proof of accommodation and a completed immigration arrival card. 

It is also important to note that, while South Africans can enter Fiji without a visa, travelling to the tropical islands is more complicated.

Flights typically pass through Australia or New Zealand, and South African passport holders are generally required to get a transit visa to pass through either of these countries. 

Singapore

The gleaming, sanitised, asian country, and home to the world’s best airport, is known for its strict rules and regulations.

This does not apply to its visa requirements, however, as the country allows over 150 countries visa-free entry, including South Africa. 

While Changi International Airport has been called the world’s best in the Skytrax awards, Singapore itself is worth more than a stopover. 

It is one of the safest countries in the world, and the least corrupt, according to Lonely Planet. It is expected that visitors follow its rules, including a ban on chewing gum.

While the small country takes just one hour to drive from end to end, it’s full of tourist attractions and a combination of cultures that makes it a worthwhile destination.

South Africans are permitted to stay in Singapore for 30 days without a visa. Travellers must present a passport valid for at least six months, return tickets and sufficient funds for their stay.