If you have travel on the brain but are not sure where to go, these are the 50 countries that welcome the South African passport visa-free.
South Africa (03 January 2022) – During the final quarter of 2021, the South African passport lost a great deal of power. According to the Passport Index in October 2021, South Africa had Visa-Free access to only 36 countries. Thankfully, today that number has changed to 50.
Before the pandemic, South Africa had a rating of 103 countries where ease of access was either Visa-free or Visa on Arrival. Since we started reporting the numbers in 2017, the number of countries we could access increased each year. This was a very positive sign, so we have faith that once travel goes back to normal or as close to normal, our Passport Index will change for the better.
As it stands, the South African passport has a global ranking of 47 out of 91, which places us at 95 out of 199 countries.
So how does the ranking work?
The Passport Index keeps track of which countries each country has ease of access to. This is listed by visa-free entry, visa on arrival, and visa before arrival.
Previously, we have always shared the list of countries listed as visa-free for South Africa and will do so again. Please note this list is subject to change but was correct at the time of writing. Should you be reading this beyond January 2022, the list could have changed due to pandemic travel restrictions. Take a look at the list for 2022 below, or check out the Passport Index here for more detailed, interactive information.
Please also note these visa-free countries are listed for leisure travel. Should you be travelling for work or other reasons, you will need to reach out to the local embassy to confirm which visa you need to apply for.
Visa-Free Travel Destinations:
- Angola – 30 days
- Antigua and Barbuda – 80 days
- Argentina – 90 days
- Bahamas – 90 days
- Barbados – 180 days
- Belize
- Benin – 90 days
- Botswana – 90 days
- Brazil – 90 days
- Chile – 90 days
- Costa Rica – 90 days
- Dominica – 180 days
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador – 90 days
- El Salvador – 90 days
- Eswatini – 30 days
- Fiji – 120 days
- Gambia – 90 days
- Georgia – 360 days
- Grenada – 90 days
- Guatemala – 90 days
- Guyana – 30 days
- Haiti – 90 days
- Honduras – 90 days
- Ireland
- Kenya – 30 days
- Kosovo – 90 days
- Lesotho – 90 days
- Malawi – 90 days
- Mauritius – 90 days
- Mozambique
- Namibia – 90 days
- Nicaragua – 90 days
- Palestinian Territories
- Panama – 180 days
- Paraguay – 90 days
- Peru – 180 days
- Qatar – 30 days
- Russian Federation – 90 days
- Saint Kitts and Nevis – 90 days
- Saint Lucia – 42 days
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines – 30 days
- Tanzania – 90 days
- Thailand – 30 days
- Trinidad and Tobago – 90 days
- Tunisia – 90 days
- Uruguay – 90 days
- Venezuela – 90 days
- Zambia – 90 days
- Zimbabwe – 90 days
Where are you planning to travel during 2022? Let us know your travel bucket list in the comment section.
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