Africa / South Africa

South Africa

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Mixed picture — check before you go.

Advisories range from all-clear to avoid non-essential travel. Risks are likely regional - review each source carefully.

Government advisories

For informational purposes only — always verify with official government sources before travel.

United States
United States
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging. There are also "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles. Violent crime is more common in the downtown areas of big cities,…
Canada
Canada
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
South Africa - Exercise a high degree of caution Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa due to the significant level of serious crime.
Ireland
Ireland
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa.
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 1
FCDO travel advice for South Africa. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
New Zealand
New Zealand
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
There are more significant safety or security concerns than you would usually find in New Zealand because of violent crime. There is a very high level of violent crime in South Africa, particularly…
Netherlands
Netherlands
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
Caution: safety risks in South Africa.
France
France
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa.
Germany
Germany
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa.
Poland
Poland
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
Exercise increased caution in South Africa.
Taiwan
Taiwan
Avoid Non-Essential Travel
Cites extradition risk to China for Taiwanese nationals
Level 3
Avoid non-essential travel to South Africa.
South Korea
South Korea
Avoid Non-Essential Travel
Level 3
Refrain from non-essential travel to South Africa.
Japan
Japan
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2
(No specific region provided)

Entry requirements

For informational purposes only — always verify with official government sources before travel.

United StatesUnited States passportVisa-free · 90 days
CanadaCanada passportVisa-free · 90 days
IrelandIreland passportVisa-free · 90 days
United KingdomUnited Kingdom passportVisa-free · 90 days
New ZealandNew Zealand passportVisa-free · 90 days
NetherlandsNetherlands passportVisa-free · 90 days
FranceFrance passportVisa-free · 90 days
GermanyGermany passportVisa-free · 90 days
PolandPoland passportVisa-free · 30 days
TaiwanTaiwan passportVisa required
South KoreaSouth Korea passportVisa-free · 30 days
JapanJapan passportVisa-free · 90 days

Where the governments disagree on South Africa

The governments do not agree on South Africa. South Korea stands alone at level 3 (reconsider non-essential travel), while the other 10 governments sit lower, from level 1 to level 2. A single outlier usually means one of two things: that government knows something specific about its own citizens' exposure, or its assessment has not caught up with the others.

Currency varies between sources. New Zealand's is the oldest assessment of South Africa on file, last revised in November 2024, while the rest have been reviewed more recently.

The warnings for South Africa are not uniform across the country. Eight distinct areas are singled out by at least one government. Among them: Johannesburg (Central Business District) and Pretoria (Central Business District). At least one government advises against non-essential travel to a specific area while taking a softer line on the country overall.

The level 3 rating from South Korea carries practical weight even if your own government is more relaxed — insurers commonly price against, or exclude, travel contrary to official advice, so the rating that matters most is the one issued for your passport.

Derived from 11 government assessments for South Africa, most recently reviewed in September 2026.

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Top Destinations

Cape Town
Table Mountain presides over this stunning city with vineyards, Robben Island, and the V&A Waterfront. The Cape Peninsula drive to the Cape of Good Hope is iconic.
Johannesburg
A dynamic city with the Apartheid Museum, Maboneng creative district, and Cradle of Humankind caves. The Soweto township tour and Constitution Hill are powerful experiences.
Durban
A subtropical Indian Ocean city with the Golden Mile beachfront, bunny chow curry, and Zulu culture. The uShaka Marine World and Moses Mabhida Stadium are waterfront landmarks.
Pretoria
South Africa's administrative capital with the Union Buildings, jacaranda-lined streets, and Voortrekker Monument. The city turns purple each October when the jacaranda trees bloom.
Port Elizabeth
A coastal city (now Gqeberha) with Algoa Bay's sandy beaches and the start of the Garden Route. The Addo Elephant National Park is an easy day trip for Big Five viewing.