South Africa entry requirements for Vietnam passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 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
Vietnamese passport holders need a visa to enter South Africa. You must apply at a South African embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa on arrival or e-visa option for Vietnamese citizens as of 2026. Plan ahead, as processing can take up to 15 working days.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply for a South African visa | Vietnamese passport holders must apply for a visa before traveling to South Africa. Submit your application at the nearest South African embassy or consulate — processing takes 5–10 working days. The visa costs around $36 USD (R470) and requires a completed application form, passport photos, and supporting documents.Apply for visa | Required |
| Valid passport Must have at least 2 blank pages | Your passport needs at least 2 consecutive blank pages for entry and exit stamps. South Africa does not enforce a 6-month validity rule — your passport just needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. Airlines may still ask for 6 months validity at check-in. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration officers at OR Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight booking ready. If you're overlanding to a neighboring country, show a bus or train ticket. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel bookings or host invitation | Carry printed hotel confirmations for your entire stay. If staying with friends or family, bring a signed letter of invitation with their South African ID or passport copy. Immigration may ask for this at the border. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statements or cash | Show you have at least R3,000 (about $165 USD) per day of your stay. A recent bank statement, credit card, or a combination of cash and cards works. Immigration rarely asks for this, but have it ready. | Recommended |
No visa on arrival — apply in advance
South Africa does not offer visa on arrival or e-visa for Vietnamese citizens. You must apply at the embassy or consulate in Vietnam before you travel. Processing takes 10–15 working days, so plan accordingly.
Keep copies of everything
Make photocopies of your passport, visa, flight bookings, and accommodation confirmations. Keep a digital copy in your email or cloud storage. If you lose your passport, copies make replacement much faster.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Gather all required documents: passport, photos, application form, flight bookings, accommodation proof, bank statements, and insurance. Make photocopies of everything.
2
Submit your application
Visit the South African embassy or consulate in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (depending on your region). Submit the form and documents in person. Pay the visa fee (approximately VND 1,500,000 for a single-entry tourist visa).
3
Wait for processing
Standard processing takes 10–15 working days. You may be called for an interview. Track your application via the embassy's contact number or email.
4
Collect your visa
Once approved, return to the embassy/consulate with your receipt to collect your passport with the visa sticker. Check the visa dates and conditions immediately.
5
Arrive in South Africa
At the airport (usually OR Tambo in Johannesburg or Cape Town International), join the 'Foreign Passports' queue. Hand over your passport with visa, return ticket, and accommodation proof if asked. The officer may ask about your itinerary — answer clearly.
Download South Africa Entry Checklist
PDF · Vietnam Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 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
CostZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD)
Standard tourist visa for single entry.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per visit
ValidityUp to 3 years
CostZAR 2,700 (~$150 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers; requires strong ties to home country.
Long-stay visa (study/work)
Max stayDuration of course/contract
ValidityUp to 3 years
CostVaries (ZAR 1,350–2,700)
Requires sponsorship from institution or employer.
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 labour market approval.
student visa
Study Visa
Duration of course, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) application fee
For full-time students enrolled at a recognized South African institution. Must show 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 of at least ZAR 37,000 (~$2,000 USD). Requires proof of pension and medical cover.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for a single-entry visa for tourism. | ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within visa validity. | ZAR 2,700 (~$150 USD) |
| Visa extension (in-country)Possible for up to 30 days, subject to approval. | ZAR 1,000 (~$55 USD) per extension |
| Overstay finePenalty for overstaying visa validity. | ZAR 500 (~$28 USD) per day, max ZAR 10,000 (~$555 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%
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
Vietnam passport holders do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, if leaving the airport or changing terminals, a visa may be required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa may transit without a visa for up to 24 hours.
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 (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheriaEssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaModerate risk
Risk in low-altitude areas of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal (especially Kruger National Park).
Dengue feverLow 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
Prophylaxis recommended for travel to Kruger National Park and other low-altitude areas. Use mosquito nets and repellent.
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; arrive early.
Cape Town
Cape Town Regional Office
Lower Buiten Street, Cape Town
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Handles extensions and re-entry permits; bring all original documents.
Practical information for VN 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. South Africa does not offer visa on arrival for Vietnamese passport holders. You must obtain a visa from a South African embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing typically takes 10–15 working days. Apply at least 3 weeks before your planned departure to be safe. Rush service is not available.
The visa fee is approximately VND 1,500,000 for a single-entry tourist visa. Fees may change, so check with the embassy before applying.
You apply at the South African Embassy in Hanoi (address: 19-21 Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem District) or the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City (address: 2nd Floor, 25 Le Duan, District 1). Check which office covers your province.
Yes, but it's not straightforward. You must apply at a VFS Global centre or the Department of Home Affairs before your visa expires. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis and may take weeks. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Your visa application will be rejected. Renew your passport first, then apply for the visa. The 6-month rule is strictly enforced.
Only if you are travelling from or through a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., parts of Africa or South America). If you do, you must show a yellow fever vaccination certificate at immigration. Otherwise, no vaccine is required for entry.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.