South Africa entry requirements for Jordan passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 27, 2026·View sources
No visa required
30 days
Max stay
30 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Jordanian passport holders can visit South Africa for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism or business. This applies in 2026. Ensure your passport meets the requirements and you have the necessary documents ready.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your departure date from South Africa. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from South Africa | Immigration officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket at passport control. Without one, you risk being refused entry and put on the next flight out. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation letter | Have your hotel confirmation or a letter from your host ready. Officers sometimes ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or cash | Carry a bank statement or enough cash to cover your stay. Immigration may ask how you'll support yourself — 3,000 ZAR per day is a safe benchmark. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
South African immigration will deny entry if your passport has less than 6 months validity from your arrival date. This is non-negotiable. Check your passport now and renew if needed.
Keep digital copies of everything
Save screenshots of your return ticket, accommodation booking, and travel insurance on your phone. Immigration may ask to see them, and having them ready speeds up the process.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents before departure
Check your passport validity (6+ months from entry date) and that you have at least 1 blank page. Book your return/onward ticket and first night accommodation. Print or save digital copies of your booking confirmations and travel insurance.
2
Arrive at a South African airport
You'll land at one of the major international airports: OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, or King Shaka (Durban). Follow signs to 'Foreign Passports' immigration.
3
Queue at immigration
Join the queue for foreign passport holders. Have your passport, return ticket (screenshot or print), and accommodation booking ready. The officer will stamp your passport with a 30-day entry permit.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After clearing immigration, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. You're free to enter South Africa — no visa required.
Download South Africa Entry Checklist
PDF · Jordan Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 27, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
CostZAR 1,350 (~$72 USD)
Apply at South African embassy in Jordan.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per visit
ValidityUp to 3 years
CostZAR 2,700 (~$144 USD)
For frequent travellers; requires justification.
Long-stay visa (visitor's permit)
Max stayUp to 3 years
ValidityAs granted
CostZAR 1,350 (~$72 USD) plus application fee
For study, work, or retirement; requires sponsorship.
retirement visa
Retirement Visa (Section 11(1)(b))
2 years, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$72 USD) plus application fee
For individuals 55+ with sufficient pension or income. Requires proof of financial means and medical cover.
work visa
Critical Skills Work Visa
Up to 5 years, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$72 USD) plus application fee
For professionals in critical skills occupations. Requires job offer and skills verification.
student visa
Study Visa
Duration of course, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$72 USD) plus application fee
For full-time study at a registered institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Business Visa (Investor)
Up to 3 years, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$72 USD) plus application fee
For investors with minimum capital of ZAR 5 million (~$267,000 USD). Requires business plan and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For longer stays or if visa is required. | ZAR 1,350 (~$72 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)For multiple entries within validity. | ZAR 2,700 (~$144 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free period. | ZAR 1,000 (~$53 USD) per day, max ZAR 30,000 (~$1,600 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Overstay history20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through South Africa
No transit visa needed
Jordan holders transiting through South Africa do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsO.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) · Cape Town International Airport (CPT) · King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
Health & vaccines for South Africa
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk; must have certificate.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheriaEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaModerate risk
Risk in low-altitude areas of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal; prophylaxis recommended.
DengueLow risk
Occasional outbreaks in urban areas; use mosquito repellent.
SchistosomiasisLow risk
Risk in freshwater lakes and rivers; avoid swimming in untreated water.
Malaria risk: moderate
Risk in northern and eastern regions (e.g., Kruger National Park). Prophylaxis recommended for those areas.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Pretoria
Department of Home Affairs (Head Office)
230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
For visa extensions and permits; bring application forms and supporting documents.
Cape Town
Cape Town Regional Office
80 St George's Mall, Cape Town
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Handles extensions and visa queries; arrive early to avoid queues.
Practical information for JO travellers
Country basics
CapitalPretoria
Language11 official languages incl. Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid with IDP for tourist drives.
Money
CurrencySouth African Rand (ZAR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 16.25 ZAR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+10h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
M,NType M (large 3-pin) and N — US plugs do not fit. Bring an adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe in Cape Town and major cities. Use bottled water in rural areas.
Emergency numbers
Getting to South Africa
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to South Africa — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No, the visa-free entry is not extendable. You must leave before the 30 days are up. If you need to stay longer, you'd need to apply for a visa at a South African embassy before traveling.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month validity is strictly enforced.
Only if you are traveling from or through a country with yellow fever risk. Jordan is not a yellow fever endemic country, so if you fly directly from Jordan, you don't need it. But if you have a layover in a country like Kenya or Brazil, you'll need the vaccine certificate.
No. The 30-day visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, or short visits only. You cannot take up employment or enroll in a course. For work or study, you need the appropriate visa from a South African embassy.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You may be fined, banned from re-entering South Africa for a period, or both. The fine is typically around 1,000–2,000 ZAR per day overstayed, but can vary. Leave before your permit expires.
No, there is no mandatory online arrival declaration for South Africa. You'll simply fill out a paper arrival card on the plane or at immigration. Keep it simple — just your basic details and accommodation address.
Yes, you can enter via land borders from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, or Eswatini. The same visa-free rules apply — 30 days. Just make sure your passport is stamped at the border post.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 27, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.