All the countries South Africans can visit without a visa

Travelling overseas can be extremely expensive, but there are many countries South Africans can visit visa-free, making the process much easier and more affordable.

The country is making strides to make travel easier for South Africans by expanding access to essential documents, such as IDs and passports.

One way this is being done is through rolling out these services in bank branches across the country, an initiative which is being undertaken by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and some of South Africa’s biggest banks.

This will expand access to essential documentation by enabling clients to conveniently apply for smart IDs and passports directly at bank branches, rather than visiting under-resourced and inefficient Home Affairs offices.

Currently, only 30 bank branches in South Africa offer passport and smart ID renewals, and less than 10% of smart IDs issued to date in the current financial year have been processed through banks.

The DHA is looking to expand access to these services, with a medium-term goal of extending them to 1,000 bank branches across South Africa.

Many of the country’s biggest banks have signed up for the expanded partnership, including Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, African Bank and Tyme Bank.

On Monday, 9 March, Capitec unveiled its in-branch smart ID self-service terminal (SST), which is now available at seven of its branches.

Notably, Capitec is the first bank to move beyond reliance on stationed Home Affairs officials in its branches.

The bank has developed a proprietary digital integration, built on Amazon Web Services, that connects dedicated in-branch SSTs directly to DHA systems. This enables Capitec to scale the service quickly.

To use Capitec’s smart ID services, customers can visit a branch with an SST, with no bookings required, and apply at the terminal by scanning their fingerprints and face.

Since Capitec uses proprietary biometric technology, this means applications can be completed without paperwork.

The application fee is R150, comprising the standard DHA fee of R140 and a Capitec service fee of R10 to cover logistics. The bank said the application process should take no more than 5 minutes.

Once the application is completed, customers can track its progress in the Capitec banking app and return to the branch where they applied to collect their smart ID once notified.

The plan is for these smart ID services to eventually be extended to passport issuance as well, making it easier for South Africans to apply for both passports and smart IDs through their banks.

Countries for visa-free travel

While obtaining a passport may be easier now than a few years ago, South Africans may still face challenges when visiting certain countries.

Nedbank explained that there are plenty of countries which require more than passports. Often, South African travellers need a visa as well.

“However, you might be surprised at how many countries around the globe don’t require South Africans to apply for a visa in advance at an embassy or consulate,” the bank said.

Nedbank found 74 international destinations that South Africans can visit using only their passport, and another 48 that offer e-visas.

“Most of these countries allow you to stay for 90 days or longer. However, some of them restrict tourist visits to 30 days, while a few place no limits on how long you can stay,” the bank said.

Importantly, though, the bank noted that countries may change their rules at any time, which makes it essential that prospective tourists double-check current regulations before making any bookings.

The best place to find this information is the official tourist website for the country where the visit is being planned.

Listed below are the countries that do not require South Africans to have a visa or which issue visas on arrival.