As of February 2017, visa-free travel for South Africans has opened up more exciting opportunities to explore the world with fewer bureaucratic hurdles. For South African passport holders, planning a holiday abroad no longer requires navigating complex visa applications for many destinations, making travel more accessible and hassle-free.
According to the latest Passport Index by Arton Capital, which ranks passports from 219 countries based on their travel freedom, South Africa holds an impressive position, ranked 48th among the world’s top 50 most powerful passports. With a visa-free score of 94, South African passport holders can enjoy access to 64 countries, including 61 destinations South Africans can visit visa-free or via visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
Visa-Free Countries South Africans Can Visit
South Africans can travel to a variety of visa-free travel destinations worldwide, from Africa to the Caribbean, and from Asia to South America. Here’s a quick guide to the countries that South Africans can visit visa-free:
Africa: Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
The Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Colombia.
Asia and the Middle East: Hong Kong, Israel, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The Caribbean: Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica.
Europe: Ireland, Kosovo, and Russia.
For those wishing to explore beyond the visa-free countries for South Africans, additional countries offer visa-on-arrival or eTA options, making even more destinations accessible. Some popular visa-on-arrival countries for South Africans include Armenia, Turkey, Jordan, and the Maldives. For eTA destinations, South Africans can easily enter India and Sri Lanka, with only a quick online authorisation process needed.
Making Travel More Accessible
With these travel destinations for South Africans available without needing visas, South Africans can explore the world more freely and enjoy the diverse cultures, natural wonders, and experiences offered across continents. Whether planning a relaxing beach getaway in Mauritius, a cultural escape in Argentina, or an island adventure in the Bahamas, visa-free travel for South Africans makes each journey simpler and more enjoyable.
