Bosnia and Herzegovina entry requirements for South Africa passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 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
South African passport holders need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. You must apply at the Bosnian embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa on arrival or e-visa option. Plan ahead, as processing can take a couple of weeks.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application Apply for a visa before travel | South African passport holders need a visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Apply at the nearest Bosnian embassy or consulate — processing takes up to 15 working days. Submit your application in person; some embassies accept courier submissions.Check visa requirements | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport must be valid for at least the entire period you plan to stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by law, but airlines may enforce 3 months validity — check with your carrier. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Bosnia and Herzegovina | Immigration officers at Sarajevo Airport and land borders routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight or bus booking out of the country ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Border officers may ask where you are staying. Have a hotel confirmation, Airbnb booking, or a letter from your host with their address and contact number. This is not always checked but saves time if asked. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Officers can request evidence of sufficient funds — roughly €50–€100 per day of your stay. A recent bank statement or credit card with available limit works. This is rarely asked for short visits but carry proof anyway. | Recommended |
No visa on arrival
South African passport holders cannot get a visa at the border. Apply at the Bosnian embassy in Pretoria or the consulate in Cape Town well before your trip.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Bosnia, not from when you apply. Double-check your expiry date before booking flights.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for a visa at the Bosnian embassy
Contact the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Pretoria (or the consulate in Cape Town) to schedule an appointment. Submit your completed application form, passport, photos, flight itinerary, accommodation proof, and visa fee. Processing takes 10–15 working days.
2
Wait for visa approval
The embassy will process your application. You may be asked for additional documents. Once approved, your passport will be stamped with the visa.
3
Travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fly into Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), Banja Luka Airport (BNX), or Mostar Airport (OMO). At immigration, present your passport with the visa, your return ticket, and accommodation proof. The officer may ask a few questions about your trip.
4
Enter the country
After a quick check, you'll be stamped in. Your visa will specify the allowed stay duration — usually up to 90 days within 180 days. Don't overstay.
Download Bosnia and Herzegovina Entry Checklist
PDF · South Africa Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 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
Cost€60 (~$65 USD)
For single entry; must apply at Bosnian embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
Cost€90 (~$98 USD)
Allows multiple entries; suitable for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Work Permit (D Visa)
1 year, renewable
~€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For employment with a Bosnian company. Requires job offer and work permit approval. Allows long-term stay.
student visa
Student Visa (D Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
~€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For full-time study at a recognized institution. Requires enrollment and proof of funds.
family reunification visa
Family Reunification Visa
1 year, renewable
~€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For spouses or close family members of Bosnian residents. Requires proof of relationship and residency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for single entry visa, payable at embassy or consulate. | €60 (~$65 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within visa validity. | €90 (~$98 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum fine cap may apply; avoid overstay. | €50 (~$54 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%
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 Bosnia and Herzegovina
No transit visa needed
South African passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Bosnia and Herzegovina airports, provided they stay in the international transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsSarajevo International Airport (SJJ) · Banja Luka International Airport (BNX) · Mostar International Airport (OMO)
Health & vaccines for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Risk in forested areas; vaccination recommended for outdoor activities.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions advised; tap water is generally safe.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Sarajevo
Ministry of Security – Immigration Sector
Trg BiH 1, 71000 Sarajevo
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits.
Banja Luka
Regional Office Banja Luka
Bulevar Vojvode Stepe 1, 78000 Banja Luka
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Handles immigration matters for the Republika Srpska region.
Practical information for ZA travellers
Country basics
CapitalSarajevo
LanguageBosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 90 days; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyBosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark (BAM)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.71 BAM
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities, but may have a mineral taste.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. There is no visa on arrival for South African passport holders. You must obtain a visa from a Bosnian embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing usually takes 10–15 working days from the date of application. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before your planned departure to be safe.
The visa fee varies — typically around €35–€60 depending on the type and processing speed. Check with the embassy in Pretoria for the exact amount.
Yes, immigration officers may ask for proof of a return or onward ticket. Keep a printed copy or a screenshot on your phone.
Extensions are not available for tourist visa holders. You must leave before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. If it's close to expiring, renew it before applying for the visa.
It's not always required for the visa application itself, but it's strongly recommended. Medical costs can be high, and some border officers may ask for proof of insurance.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.