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Visitor's visa: Ethiopian citizen in Ethiopia β†’ South Africa

πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ή nationality: EthiopiaπŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ή lives in: EthiopiaπŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ going to: South Africaupdated 2026-06-18

Ethiopian citizens need a South African visitor's visa β€” apply at a South African embassy/mission for a tourism or business visit of up to 90 days.

What this visa is for

South African visitor's visa for a tourism or business visit of up to 90 days, applied for at a South African embassy, mission or consulate.

Validity
Issued for a period of 90 days or less (becomes a visitor's permit on entry, with its period of validity calculated from the date of entry)
Entries
As issued (single or multiple entry)
Max stay per visit
Up to 90 days β€” the immigration officer sets the period at the port of entry

official source β†’

When to start

Start 14–35 days before your travel date.

The low end assumes everything goes smoothly; the high end leaves margin for delays and passport hiccups. You can apply at most 90 days ahead.

Pick your travel date β€” every deadline below updates instantly:

You're on track β€” start by 30 Aug 2026 to be ready in time.
1
Confirm you need a visitor's visastart by 30 Aug 2026

A visitor's visa is for travellers resident outside South Africa visiting for tourism or business for 90 days or less.

takes ~1 day
Source: dha.gov.za Β· updated 2026-06-17
2
Prepare your documentsstart by 9 Sept 2026

Gather a passport valid 30+ days beyond your visit (with an unused page), a completed Form BI-84, and the prescribed fee.

takes ~2 days
Source: dha.gov.za Β· updated 2026-06-17
3
Apply at a South African missionstart by 24 Sept 2026

Submit your application at a South African embassy, mission or consulate, where a consular officer reviews it.

depends on where you livetakes ~7 days
Source: dha.gov.za Β· updated 2026-06-17
4
Enter at a port of entrystart by 28 Oct 2026

On arrival, an immigration official decides admission and how long you may stay; the visa becomes a visitor's permit.

takes ~1 day
Source: dha.gov.za Β· updated 2026-06-17

What you'll need

Where you'll apply

Because you live in Ethiopia, apply at the South African embassy, mission or consulate with jurisdiction over where you live (an eVisa is available to a defined list of countries).

Apply on the official site (dha.gov.za) β†’

Fees

Visitor's visa
Prescribed fee paid at the mission β€” confirm the current amount
varies

Confirm the current fee with your South African mission.

Gotchas to watch

Sources

Every step on this page comes from an official source, with the date it was last checked. Sources used:

Optional services for your trip

These are optional, third-party services. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links β€” it never affects our guidance, which stays grounded in the official source.

Travel eSIMStay connected on arrival β€” a data plan you can install before you fly.Get an eSIM β†’

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All visa options for a Ethiopian passport β†’