South Africa: is it safe to visit?

US State Dept rates South Africa at level 2 of 4. Exercise Increased Caution: Due to crime and civil unrest.

South Africa: what currency is used?

Currency in South Africa: South African Rand (ZAR).

South Africa: what language do people speak?

Languages of South Africa: English, Afrikaans, South Ndebele, Northern Sotho.

South Africa: what is the capital?

The capital of South Africa is Pretoria · Bloemfontein · Cape Town.

South Africa travel guide: visa requirements, safety & facts

At a glance

South Africa: know before you go

At a glance

Capitals: Pretoria · Bloemfontein · Cape Town
Population: 62,027,503
Area: 1,221,037 km² · 471,445 sq mi
Languages: English, Afrikaans, South Ndebele, Northern Sotho
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Time zone: UTC+02:00, UTC+03:00, Africa/Johannesburg
Calling code: +27
Drives on the: Left
Internet domain: .za
Landlocked: No, it has a coastline

More facts

Continent: Africa
Demonym: South Africans
Government: parliamentary republic

Member of

African Union
G20
United Nations

Neighbouring countries

South Africa visa requirements

Open the visa checker

South Africa entry requirements by passport: of 197 passports, 98 can enter without a visa, 0 get a visa on arrival, 4 apply online before they travel and 95 need a visa from an embassy or consulate.

Do you need a visa?

Check visa requirements for South Africa

Find your passport for the documents, the cost and how long you can stay.

Visa-free98 passports

e-Visa2 passports

Travel authorization (ETA)2 passports

Visa required95 passports

Safety

South Africa safety: is it safe to visit?

Level 2 of 4Exercise Increased Caution

Due to crime and civil unrest

US State Dept, updated October 1, 2025. Advisories change: check your own government's travel advice before you go.

Questions

South Africa: frequently asked questions

South Africa visa: do I need one?: South Africa entry requirements by passport: of 197 passports, 98 can enter without a visa, 0 get a visa on arrival, 4 apply online before they travel and 95 need a visa from an embassy or consulate.
South Africa: is it safe to visit?: US State Dept rates South Africa at level 2 of 4. Exercise Increased Caution: Due to crime and civil unrest.
South Africa: what currency is used?: Currency in South Africa: South African Rand (ZAR).
South Africa: what language do people speak?: Languages of South Africa: English, Afrikaans, South Ndebele, Northern Sotho.
South Africa: what is the capital?: The capital of South Africa is Pretoria · Bloemfontein · Cape Town.

At a glance

The flag

The flag has six colors in a distinctive Y-shape, representing the country's diversity and unity after apartheid.

Travel guide

In the community

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See who has been there and what you need to travel.