Visa Requirements
Do American citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Official Requirement
Visa-free
for United States citizens travelling to South Africa
Passport holders from many countries can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. A passport valid for at least 30 days beyond the departure date and with at least 2 blank pages is required.
Checked 12 September 2026
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
No visa needed for this trip
United States passport holders can enter South Africa for short visits without a visa. Check that your passport stays valid for the whole stay, carry proof of onward travel, and confirm the current entry conditions on the official source before you fly.
Official South Africa entry requirements →
Cape Town
The short answer
American citizens do not need a visa to enter South Africa for stays of up to 90 days. No visa is needed before travelling to South Africa for a short tourist or business visit. Passport validity: a valid and acceptable passport or travel document for the intended stay, with at least one blank page for endorsements. Bring valid passport or travel document with at least one blank page for endorsements, a return or onward ticket, sufficient funds to pay for day-to-day expenses during the stay and a yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelling through a yellow fever endemic area. This covers tourist and short business visits only, not work, study or residence, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry in every case. This was last checked on 12 September 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for American citizens visiting South Africa
- Requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days
- Passport validity
- A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for the intended stay, with at least one blank page for endorsements.
- Documents
- Valid passport or travel document with at least one blank page for endorsements
- A return or onward ticket
- Sufficient funds to pay for day-to-day expenses during the stay
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelling through a yellow fever endemic area
- Conditions
- A visitor may stay for up to 90 days or less per visit. Visitors are restricted to the activity or purpose for which entry was granted, the validity of the permit is calculated from the date of entry, and the conditions are noted on the visa label. Immigration officials at the port of entry decide whether to admit the traveller and for how long.
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How American citizens enter South Africa
Check that your travel document is valid for your intended stay and has at least one blank page for endorsements
Carry a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds for your day-to-day expenses
Carry a yellow fever certificate if you have travelled through a yellow fever endemic area
Present your documents to the immigration official at the port of entry, who decides on admission and the length of stay
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Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Questions
What American citizens ask about entering South Africa
No. American citizens can enter South Africa without a visa for a short tourist or business visit. This was last checked on 12 September 2026.
Up to 90 days on this entry route. A longer trip needs a different permission, which this page does not cover. A border officer decides the length granted on the day.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
South Africa uses ZAR. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Safety is a judgement your own government makes, not Yoogo. This page links the official travel advice for your passport; read it before booking, because advice can change faster than entry rules.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 12 September 2026.
Full change history for this route →