South Africa entry requirements for Kazakhstan passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 26, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Kazakh passport holders need a visa to enter South Africa. Apply at the South African embassy in Nur-Sultan before you travel. Processing can take several weeks, so plan ahead.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| South African visa application Apply before travel | Submit a visa application at the South African embassy or consulate in your home country. Processing takes 5–15 working days — apply at least 3 weeks before departure. The official visa portal at dha.gov.za lists required documents and fees.Apply for visa | Required |
| Valid passport At least 2 blank pages | Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure date from South Africa. Carry two consecutive blank visa pages — immigration officers check this at the border. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration at OR Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka airports routinely asks for a confirmed onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or a bus/train ticket to a neighboring country. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host letter | Carry a printed hotel reservation or a signed letter from your host with their South African address and contact number. Immigration officers occasionally ask for this during peak travel periods. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or cash | Have a bank statement showing at least 3,000 ZAR per day of your stay, or carry a credit card with a visible limit. Officers at land borders are more likely to ask for cash proof than at airports. | Recommended |
Apply well in advance
Visa processing can take 2–4 weeks. Don't book non-refundable flights until you have the visa in hand.
No visa on arrival
There is no visa on arrival for Kazakh passport holders. You must get a visa before you travel.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a visa at the South African embassy in Nur-Sultan
Submit your application in person at the embassy. Bring your passport, completed form, photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, bank statements, and travel insurance. Processing takes 2–4 weeks. Check the embassy website for current fees and appointment slots.
2
Wait for visa approval
Once approved, you'll get a visa sticker in your passport. It's valid for a single entry and a specific stay duration (usually up to 30 days). Don't book non-refundable flights until you have the visa.
3
Arrive at a South African airport
At OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town, or King Shaka (Durban), go to the 'Foreign Passports' queue. Have your passport, visa, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready. The officer will stamp you in.
Download South Africa Entry Checklist
PDF · Kazakhstan Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 26, 2026
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 date
CostZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD)
Standard option for tourism, must apply before travel.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
ValidityUp to 3 years
CostZAR 2,700 (~$150 USD)
Ideal for frequent travelers, allows multiple visits.
work visa
General Work Visa
Up to 5 years, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) application fee
For skilled workers with a job offer from a South African employer. Requires proof of qualifications and labor market approval.
student visa
Study Visa
Duration of course, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at a recognized South African institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
retirement visa
Retirement Visa
Up to 4 years, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) application fee
For retirees aged 55+ with a monthly pension or income of at least ZAR 37,000 (~$2,000 USD). No work allowed.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays up to 90 days, non-refundable. | ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for multiple entries within validity period. | ZAR 2,700 (~$150 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayApplies to any overstay beyond authorized period. | ZAR 500 (~$28 USD) per day, max ZAR 10,000 (~$555 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%
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
Kazakhstan passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through South African airports, provided they remain in the international transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed up to 48h
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, as per International Health Regulations.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaModerate risk
Risk in low-altitude areas of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, especially during rainy season.
Dengue feverLow risk
Occasional outbreaks in urban areas; mosquito bite prevention recommended.
SchistosomiasisLow risk
Risk from swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers; avoid contact with untreated water.
Malaria risk: moderate
Risk in northern and eastern regions (e.g., Kruger National Park). Prophylaxis recommended for travelers to these 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
Main office for visa extensions and permits. Bring application form, passport, photos, and fee.
Cape Town
Cape Town Regional Office
22 Riebeek Street, Cape Town
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Handles extensions and visa queries. Arrive early to avoid long queues.
Practical information for KZ 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
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to South Africa — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Processing usually takes 2–4 weeks after you submit your application at the embassy in Nur-Sultan. Apply at least a month before your planned travel.
No. There is no visa on arrival for Kazakh passport holders. You must get a visa before you travel.
The visa fee is around 1,500 ZAR (about 30,000 KZT) for a single-entry visa. Check the embassy website for the exact amount — fees change occasionally.
You'll need your passport (valid 6+ months), completed application form, 2 passport photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, bank statements for the last 3 months, travel insurance, and a cover letter explaining your trip.
No. The visa is not extendable. You must leave before the visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Only if you're traveling from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., parts of Africa or South America). Kazakhstan is not a risk country, so you won't need it unless you transit through one.
You can reapply, but you'll need to address the reason for rejection (e.g., insufficient funds, incomplete documents). There's no formal appeal process — just submit a new application.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 26, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.