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🇦🇫 Does an Afghan need a visa for South Africa 🇿🇦?

What this means for your trip

An ETA (electronic travel authorisation) is not a visa: it is an online pre-screening that airlines check before boarding.

It is normally approved within minutes to a few days; apply before you book non-refundable travel.

Your passport should normally be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and have blank pages for stamps; many countries apply this rule.

South Africa at a glance

Capital: Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Cape Town · Currency: South African rand (ZAR, R) · Official languages: Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu · Calling code: +27

U.S. State Department travel advisory for South Africa: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (updated 27 May 2025). It is written for U.S. citizens; read the advisory before you book.

Plugs and voltage

Some of your plugs fit (C); for type F plugs bring a travel adapter for South Africa's sockets (C, D, M, N). Mains voltage differs (South Africa: 230 V; Afghanistan: 240 V): most phone and laptop chargers accept 100–240 V, but single-voltage devices such as some hair dryers need a converter.

More about entering South Africa →

Easier destinations near South Africa for Afghan passport holders

• 🇪🇬 Egypt — Visa-free
• 🇸🇨 Seychelles — Visa-free 90 days

The other way round

🇿🇦 South African passport holders visiting Afghanistan: South African passport holders need a visa for Afghanistan, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa before travelling.

The Afghan passport at a glance

All destinations for Afghanistan passport holders → · Who needs a visa for South Africa →

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