100 countries South Africa can travel to visa-free
According to the latest Passport Index, South African passport holders can now visit 100 countries without a visa, down from 101 in January, ranking the South African passport 47th globally.
In January 2026, South African passport holders lost visa-free access to five destinations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Kosovo, and Palestine —ranking 48th globally, between Qatar and Belize.
However, recent data from The Henley Passport Index indicates that South Africans have lost visa-free access to two additional destinations—Somalia and the Falkland Islands—while gaining it back to Palestine and moving up by one point in its global ranking.
Singapore is first on the Henley Index, ranked as the most powerful passport in the world. The South-East Asian country grants visa-free access to 192 out of 227 destinations.
Japan and South Korea’s passports are tied, both ranked second-strongest, granting access to 187 countries out of 227.
Sweden and the United Arab Emirates are tied for third place, each with visa-free access to 186 countries.
The Henley Passport Index is considered the most authoritative global ranking of passport strength.
It evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations worldwide, measuring the ease with which citizens can cross borders.
A destination scores a one if a traveller does not need a visa beforehand, including a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authorisation issued at entry.
If a traveller must apply for a visa or secure government approval before departure, that destination scores zero.
The total score of a passport is the number of destinations it can access without a visa. The Henley Passport Index defines the differences between different visa requirements.
- Visa required: A conventional visa is necessary for entry, with an application to be submitted in person.
- Visa-free: No visa is needed for entry into these places.
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authority): A visa is not required; however, a digital electronic travel document (authority), declaring entry into the country, must be obtained before arrival.
- VOA (Visa on Arrival): A visa is necessary for entry, but it can be applied for and received upon arrival at the airport (no pre-departure approval needed).
- e-Visa: A visa is required, but an online application can be submitted. The issued visa is electronic, with pre-departure approval necessary.
Updated visa-free countries
Well-known travel spots like Mauritius, Thailand, and Indonesia still offer visa-free access, making them appealing choices for South African vacationers.
Since November 2025, Indonesia, which hosts popular tourist hotspots like Bali, has been visa-free for South African passport holders, allowing visa-free stays of up to 30 days.
Previously, South Africans visiting the country were required to obtain a visa upon arrival and demonstrate sufficient funds and accommodations for the duration of the stay.
Additionally, key business and transit centres such as Singapore, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia continue to permit entry for South Africans without a visa.
The list below includes all the countries where South Africans can enter without a visa, with those lost in the past year highlighted in bold.
| Africa |
| Angola |
| Benin |
| Botswana |
| Burundi |
| Cape Verde Islands |
| Comoro Islands |
| Djibouti |
| Ethiopia |
| eSwatini |
| Gabon |
| Ghana |
| Guinea-Bissau |
| Kenya |
| Lesotho |
| Madagascar |
| Malawi |
| Mauritania |
| Mauritius |
| Mozambique |
| Namibia |
| Nigeria |
| Reunion |
| Rwanda |
| Senegal |
| Seychelles |
| Sierra Leone |
| Somalia |
| Tanzania |
| The Gambia |
| Tunisia |
| Zambia |
| Zimbabwe |
| Americas |
| Argentina |
| Belize |
| Bolivia* |
| Brazil |
| Chile |
| Costa Rica |
| Ecuador |
| El Salvador |
| Falkland Islands |
| Guatemala |
| Guyana |
| Honduras |
| Nicaragua |
| Panama |
| Paraguay |
| Peru |
| Uruguay |
| Venezuela |
| Asia |
| Cambodia* |
| Hong Kong (SAR China) |
| Indonesia |
| Kyrgyzstan* |
| Laos* |
| Malaysia |
| Maldives* |
| Macao (SAR China) |
| Nepal* |
| Pakistan* |
| Philippines |
| Singapore |
| Sri Lanka* |
| Tajikistan* |
| Thailand |
| Timor-Leste* |
| South Korea** |
| Caribbean |
| Antigua and Barbuda |
| Bahamas |
| Barbados |
| British Virgin Islands |
| Cayman Islands |
| Dominica |
| Dominican Republic |
| Grenada |
| Haiti |
| Jamaica |
| Montserrat |
| St. Helena |
| St. Kitts and Nevis |
| St. Lucia |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Trinidad and Tobago |
| Turks and Caicos |
| Europe |
| Georgia |
| Kosovo |
| Russian Federation |
| Middle East |
| Armenia* |
| Iran* |
| Israel |
| Jordan* |
| Oman |
| Palestine |
| Qatar |
| Saudi Arabia* |
| Oceania |
| Cook Islands |
| Fiji |
| Kiribati |
| Marshall Islands* |
| Micronesia |
| Niue |
| Palau Islands* |
| Samoa* |
| Tuvalu* |
| Vanuatu |
Note: *visa on arrival; **eTA [electronic travel authorisation]
Loading ...
The big question is, how many countries on that list do the majority of vacationers really wish to travel to?