🇦🇫 Afghanistan passport 🇿🇦 South Africa
Visa required
Arrange it before you travel — usually through an embassy or consulate
Yes — Afghanistan passport holders need a visa to enter South Africa. It must be arranged in advance, usually at an embassy or consulate.
Our data doesn't record the permitted stay, fee or processing time for this route — check the official page before you apply.
Source: the open Passport Index dataset, with corrections checked against official government sites. How we source this · Report an error
Getting a visa for South Africa
What this usually involves for a visa — not a checklist researched for Afghanistan passport holders specifically. The official page has the exact list.
What you'll typically need 9 items
- Completed visa application form
- Passport meeting the destination's validity and blank-page rules (commonly six months beyond arrival and two blank pages)
- 2 recent passport-sized photos
- Round-trip flight tickets
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)
- Bank statements (last 3 months)
- Travel insurance covering medical emergencies
- Proof of employment or business registration
- Cover letter stating purpose of visit
Steps 8 steps
- Contact the destination country's embassy or consulate in your country
- Download and fill out the visa application form
- Gather all required documents and make copies
- Book an appointment at the embassy/consulate
- Attend the appointment and submit your application
- Pay the visa fee
- Wait for processing — timelines vary widely by country and season
- Collect your passport with visa or receive by mail
Before you board for South Africa
Beyond the visa itself, these are what travellers most often get turned away for:
- Passport validityValid for at least 30 days beyond visa validity with 2 blank pages
- Onward or return ticket Required
- Proof of funds RequiredZAR 5,000 per day or equivalent in travelers cheques
- Travel insurance Recommended
- Yellow fever RequiredVaccination certificate required if arriving from endemic countries
- Malaria prophylaxis RecommendedLimpopo, Mpumalanga (Kruger), and KwaZulu-Natal coast
- Routine vaccines Recommended
- Children under 18 traveling with one parent need an unabridged birth certificate
- Most nationalities get 30–90 days visa-free
- Be vigilant about safety; car hijacking and mugging risks in cities
Requirements can vary by nationality and change without notice — confirm with the official sources before you travel.
Official sources
Always confirm with South Africa's own government before you travel:
- South Africa official visa information ↗ dha.gov.za
- South Africa embassies & consulates ↗ dirco.gov.za
Keep going
About South Africa
The Rainbow Nation — Kruger safaris, Cape Town's mountains, wine estates, and Nelson Mandela's legacy
- Capital
- Pretoria / Cape Town / Bloemfontein
- Currency
- South African Rand (ZAR)
- Language
- 11 official languages (Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English)
- Time zone
- SAST (UTC+2)
- Best time to visit
- May – September (safari), December – February (beaches)
Common questions
Do Afghanistan citizens need a visa to visit South Africa?
Yes — Afghanistan passport holders need a visa to enter South Africa. It must be arranged in advance, usually at an embassy or consulate.
How long can Afghanistan passport holders stay in South Africa?
Our data doesn't record the permitted stay for this route. Check South Africa's official visa information before you travel.
How much does a South Africa visa cost for Afghanistan citizens?
Our data doesn't record the fee for this route. Fees change often — check South Africa's official visa information before you apply.
How long must my passport be valid to enter South Africa?
Valid for at least 30 days beyond visa validity with 2 blank pages
Does South Africa give visas to Afghanistan citizens?
Yes — South Africa issues visas to Afghanistan citizens, usually through its embassies and consulates. Apply in advance before travelling.
Where can Afghanistan citizens find official South Africa visa information?
On South Africa's official site: https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/applying-for-sa-visa