Planning a trip to Johannesburg? Whether you are coming to South Africa for tourism, a holiday, visiting friends or family, or a short business-related visit, your entry requirements depend on your nationality, the purpose of your trip and how long you intend to stay.
Some travellers can enter South Africa without obtaining a visa in advance, while nationals of other countries may need a South African visitor visa or may be eligible to use the country's electronic travel authorisation system.
This Johannesburg tourist visa guide explains the main requirements, documents, application process, visa exemptions, ETA, children’s travel requirements and what to know before flying to Johannesburg.
Johannesburg does not have a separate tourist visa. If you are visiting Johannesburg, you are entering South Africa, so South African immigration rules apply.
The South African Department of Home Affairs states that foreigners generally need a valid visa before entering South Africa unless their nationality is exempt from visa control for qualifying visits. Visitor visas are used for tourism and other permitted short visits.
Your situation will generally fall into one of these categories:
South Africa maintains a list of countries whose citizens are exempt from visa control for qualifying visits. The exact rules can depend on nationality, passport type, purpose and duration of travel. Always check the current South African Department of Home Affairs requirements before booking your trip.
When people search for a "Johannesburg tourist visa", they are usually looking for information about a South African visitor's visa.
Johannesburg is the destination city, but the visa is issued under South African immigration law.
Therefore, the same South African visitor visa can be used to visit Johannesburg and other destinations in South Africa, subject to its conditions.
South Africa's visitor visa system includes visitor visas for short visits. The South African Government states that a visitor visa can be used for visits of up to 90 days, depending on the applicable conditions.
The exact period you are permitted to remain in South Africa is determined by your immigration status and the conditions granted to you.
If you want to stay longer than the period allowed for your tourist visit, you should not simply remain in the country after your permitted stay expires. You need to investigate the appropriate immigration procedure before your existing status expires.
Exact requirements can vary according to your nationality, circumstances and the South African mission handling your application. Typical visitor visa applications can require documentation such as:
The official South African e-Visa information also identifies a valid passport or travel document, a blank passport page and sufficient funds for day-to-day expenses among the information relevant to visitors.
Travellers should make sure their passport is valid for the required period and has sufficient blank pages for immigration endorsements.
South African immigration regulations require the passport to have at least two unused pages when it is presented for the relevant visa or entry endorsement, and the passport should remain valid beyond the intended departure date.
Check your passport validity, blank pages and visa requirements well before travelling to Johannesburg. Airline staff may check whether you have the documentation required for entry before allowing you to board.
There is not one universal tourist visa fee that applies to every traveller in every country.
Visa fees can depend on the type of application and the South African diplomatic mission or application channel handling the application. For example, South African diplomatic missions publish their applicable tariffs, and fees can differ by visa category and location.
Because immigration fees can change, check the current fee published by the South African authority or mission responsible for your application before making payment.
South Africa has introduced an official Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for eligible travellers.
The official South African ETA website states that eligible travellers from certain visa-required countries can apply electronically for tourism or visitor purposes instead of obtaining a traditional visitor visa. Visa-exempt travellers may also be able to use an ETA where eligible.
An ETA is a digital travel authorisation linked to the traveller's passport. It is designed to facilitate travel to South Africa for eligible tourism and visitor purposes.
No. The official ETA system specifically states that work in South Africa is not permitted on an ETA.
The official ETA website currently identifies several South African international airports for eligible ETA travellers, including:
O. R. Tambo International Airport is particularly important for travellers visiting Johannesburg.
Many international visitors to Johannesburg arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport, the major international gateway serving the Johannesburg metropolitan area.
Before boarding your flight, make sure you have:
Visitors may need to provide evidence of where they will stay during their trip.
This could include:
Keep your accommodation information accessible on your phone and, where practical, as a backup document.
Visitors may be required to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay.
Depending on the application, evidence can include bank statements or other acceptable financial documentation.
The exact financial requirement and acceptable evidence can vary according to the application circumstances, so applicants should follow the instructions provided by the South African authority handling their visa application.
Travellers should be prepared to demonstrate their onward or return travel arrangements where required.
A detailed travel itinerary may also be requested during a visa application.
If you are applying for a visa, check the instructions of the South African mission handling your application before purchasing a non-refundable ticket. Some South African diplomatic missions specifically advise applicants to submit a flight itinerary rather than purchasing the ticket before the visa is issued.
Families travelling to Johannesburg should pay particular attention to South Africa's requirements for children.
The South African Government states that children under 18 travelling to or from South Africa must have the correct documentation. Depending on the circumstances, this can include a valid passport, birth certificate or equivalent parentage document, and parental consent documentation.
Carry the child's passport and supporting documentation establishing the child's parentage where applicable.
Additional parental consent documentation may be required from the non-travelling parent.
Additional documentation may be required, including parental consent and documents identifying the child and parents or legal guardians.
Unaccompanied minors can have additional requirements, including parental consent and information about the person receiving the child in South Africa.
If your nationality requires a traditional visitor visa, the application process generally involves several stages.
South African visa applications are handled through South African diplomatic missions and designated application channels, depending on the applicant's country and visa type.
The Department of Home Affairs also uses outsourced frontline services for visa and permit applications through VFS Global in South Africa.
Applicants outside South Africa should follow the instructions of the South African embassy, high commission, consulate or official electronic application system applicable to their country.
South Africa has visa exemption arrangements covering citizens of certain countries for qualifying short visits.
Visa exemption does not mean that every activity or every length of stay is automatically permitted. Exemptions are generally connected to qualifying tourism or business visits and can have specific conditions.
Being allowed to enter South Africa without a traditional visitor visa does not automatically give you the right to work, study or live permanently in Johannesburg. If your purpose is employment, study or residence, investigate the appropriate immigration category before travelling.
A normal tourist or visitor visa should not be treated as a general employment authorisation.
If your purpose is to take up employment in Johannesburg, you should investigate the appropriate South African work visa before starting work.
South Africa has several work-related immigration categories, including General Work Visas, Critical Skills Work Visas and Intra-Company Transfer Work Visas.
See our detailed South Africa Work Visa Guide for more information.
Remote work can involve different immigration and tax considerations from ordinary tourism.
South Africa has introduced a specific remote-work immigration framework, so people planning to live in Johannesburg while working remotely for a foreign employer should not automatically assume that a standard tourist visit covers their entire situation.
If remote work is the main purpose of your stay, check the latest Department of Home Affairs requirements before travelling.
Tourism and study are different immigration purposes.
If you plan to enrol in a South African educational institution, you may need a study visa rather than relying on visitor status.
Visitors should always apply for the immigration status corresponding to the activities they intend to undertake in South Africa.
A tourist visit is very different from moving permanently or temporarily to Johannesburg.
| Purpose | Typical Immigration Route |
|---|---|
| Holiday in Johannesburg | Visitor visa / visa exemption / ETA where eligible |
| Visit family or friends | Visitor visa or applicable visa-exempt entry |
| Short permitted business visit | Visitor/business-related immigration conditions depending on activity |
| Employment in Johannesburg | Appropriate work visa |
| University or long-term study | Study visa |
| Long-term family relocation | Relevant family/relative immigration category |
| Permanent relocation | Permanent residence route where eligible |
Johannesburg is one of South Africa's largest urban centres and an important destination for business, culture, history, shopping, entertainment and tourism.
Visitors can explore areas and attractions such as:
Johannesburg is also a useful base for travellers combining the city with other South African destinations.
Johannesburg has a wide range of accommodation, from hotels and serviced apartments to guesthouses and short-term rentals.
Popular areas for visitors can include:
Read our Best Areas in Johannesburg Guide if you are deciding where to stay.
Your travel budget depends heavily on your accommodation, restaurants, transport, activities and length of stay.
Before travelling, calculate a realistic daily budget that includes:
Johannesburg is a large metropolitan area, so visitors should plan transportation in advance.
Depending on your itinerary, you may use:
Your choice of accommodation can make a major difference to the amount of time and money spent travelling around the city.
Travel insurance is strongly worth considering when travelling internationally.
Depending on the policy, coverage may include:
Check the policy conditions carefully, particularly exclusions, medical coverage limits and activities covered.
Visa requirements and customs requirements are separate issues.
From 1 July 2026, South Africa requires travellers entering or leaving through air, land, sea and rail ports of entry to submit an online traveller declaration before travelling, subject to limited exceptions. The system covers declarations relating to goods, currency and other customs information.
Travellers arriving in Johannesburg should therefore consider both:
The customs declaration does not replace a visa, ETA or other immigration authorisation.
Travellers can avoid many problems by checking their documentation before departure.
You should not travel to Johannesburg expecting to obtain a required South African visa after landing.
The South African Government states that visas are not issued at South African ports of entry and that airline officials must check applicable visa requirements before allowing passengers to board.
Do not rely on receiving a visa when you arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport.
If your planned stay exceeds the period permitted under your visitor status, you need to investigate the relevant South African immigration procedure before your authorised stay expires.
South Africa has separate temporary residence categories for purposes such as work, study, business, family and other long-term activities.
Do not assume that entering as a tourist automatically gives you the right to switch to another immigration status from inside South Africa. The South African Government specifically advises applicants to obtain the correct visa for their intended activities, and restrictions apply to changing status from a visitor visa while in South Africa.
Travellers from Europe should check their individual nationality rather than assuming that all European passports have exactly the same requirements.
South Africa has visa exemption arrangements covering many countries, but the permitted activities and duration should always be verified against the current official list.
UK citizens should check the current South African visa and ETA rules applicable to their passport before travelling.
Do not rely on old travel information because South Africa's electronic travel authorisation and visa systems continue to evolve.
US citizens should verify their current South African entry requirements before travelling to Johannesburg.
Requirements can depend on the purpose and length of the trip, so travellers should use the official South African immigration information rather than relying solely on third-party travel websites.
Travellers from countries outside South Africa's visa-exemption arrangements should check whether they need:
The official South African Department of Home Affairs is the appropriate source for determining the current requirement for your nationality.
It depends on your nationality. Some travellers are exempt from South African visa control for qualifying short visits, while others need a visitor visa or may qualify for the ETA system.
No. Johannesburg is a city in South Africa. The applicable tourist immigration permission is issued under South African immigration rules.
Visitor arrangements commonly cover stays of up to 90 days, but the exact period depends on your nationality and the conditions of your entry or visa.
A normal visitor visa is not a general work authorisation. If you intend to work in Johannesburg, you should investigate the appropriate South African work visa.
No. The official South African ETA website states that work is not permitted on an ETA.
Travellers who require a visa should obtain the necessary authorisation before travelling. South African Government information states that visas are not issued at ports of entry.
Yes. Children need the correct travel documentation, including a valid passport. Additional parentage and consent documents may be required depending on who is travelling with the child.
From 1 July 2026, South Africa requires travellers entering or leaving through its ports of entry to submit an online traveller declaration, subject to limited exceptions.
This page is an informational guide and is not legal or immigration advice. South African visa, ETA, immigration, customs and entry requirements can change. Requirements can also vary according to nationality, passport type, purpose of travel and individual circumstances.
Before travelling, verify your specific requirements with the South African Department of Home Affairs, the relevant South African embassy or consulate, and the official South African ETA system where applicable.