South Africa Travel requirements, advice , Coronavirus status and Visa Policy
2022-10-21 16:19:02
South Africa is located in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a developing country. Current Travel Advice to visitors travelling to South Africa is Exercise Increased Caution. Check South Africa Travel Advisory, visa Requirements below.
Travel advice and advisories
Published 17.05.2022
1. Passengers can only land at Cape Town (CPT), Durban (DUR), Nelspruit (MQP) or Johannesburg: Lanseria International (HLA) and OR Tambo International (JNB).
2. Passengers entering or transiting through South Africa are subject to a COVID-19 antigen test upon arrival and to quarantine if the test result is positive, if they do not have:
- a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point; or
- a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken at most 48 hours before departure from the first embarkation point; or
- a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they received one dose of AstraZeneca (SK Bioscience), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Covishield, Covovax, Janssen, Moderna (Spikevax), Nuvaxovid (Novavax), Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty), Sinopharm (BIBP) or Sinovac. The US COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card is not accepted; or
- a positive COVID-19 PCR test taken at least 11 days and at most 89 days before arrival, and a COVID-19 recovery certificate.
- This does not apply to passengers younger than 12 years.
3. Passengers must complete a "Traveller Health Questionnaire" upon arrival. The form can be found at https://health.gov.za/covid19/assets/downloads/faq/ENTRY%20SCREENING%20THQ%202.pdf
4. Passengers and airline crew are subject to medical screening.
5. Airline crew could be subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
Travel Advisory By USA
Wed, 05 Oct 2022
Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.
Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime and civil unrest.
Country Summary: Violent crime, such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles, is common. There is a higher risk of violent crime in the central business districts of major cities after dark.
Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently. These can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services; such events have the potential to turn violent.
Please see our Alerts for up-to-date information.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to South Africa.
If you decide to travel to South Africa:
- Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before planning any international travel, and read the Embassy COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information.
- Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
- Avoid visiting informal settlement areas unless you are with someone familiar with the area.
- Do not display cash or valuables.
- Drive with doors locked and windows closed.
- Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.
- Conserve water and follow local guidance on water use for tourists and Save Like a Local.
- Check the City of Cape Town website for up-to-date information and guidance on how to manage water consumption.
- Refer to the Nelson Mandela Bay’s website for updates on water restrictions in effect in the Eastern Cape.
- Monitor water levels at the City of Cape Town’s Water Dashboard.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for South Africa.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Visa Policy for Visitors travelling to South Africa
Visa required
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eVisa
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Visa Requirements for South Africa Citizens
References
- U.S Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Systematic dataset of Covid-19 policy, from Oxford University
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)