- Home
- Visa requirements
- South Africa
- Nigeria passport
South Africa visa for Nigerian citizens
Nigeria 
South Africa Nigeria passport holders need a visa for South Africa, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa.
Yes, an e-Visa is required
- Entry requirement
- e-Visa
- Maximum stay
- Set by the visa
- Apply before travel
- Yes
- Last updated
- February 2026
What Nigeria passport holders need to do
- Apply on the destination's official e-Visa portal.
- Upload a passport scan and a photo, then pay the fee online.
- Save or print the approved e-Visa and present it at the border.
Nigeria is one of 32 passports in the “e-visa” group for South Africa. See the full South Africa visa requirements for every passport.
Easier alternatives in Africa for Nigeria passport holders
South Africa is one of 44 destinations in the “e-visa” group for the Nigeria passport, which ranks #84 worldwide with a mobility score of 43. Of 53 destinations in Africa, 26 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.
| Destination | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
 Benin | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Burkina Faso | Visa-free | – |
 Cameroon | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Cape Verde | Visa-free | – |
 Chad | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Gambia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Ghana | Visa-free | – |
 Guinea | Visa-free | – |
 Guinea-Bissau | Visa-free | – |
 Ivory Coast | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Liberia | Visa-free | – |
 Mali | Visa-free | – |
Frequently asked questions
Do Nigerian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Nigeria passport holders need a visa for South Africa, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa.
Can Nigerian citizens apply for South Africa visa online?
Yes. Nigeria passport holders are eligible for an e-Visa to South Africa, so the application can be completed online without visiting an embassy.
Do South Africa citizens need a visa for Nigeria?
South Africa passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Nigeria, so no application is needed before travelling.
South Africa visa requirements for other passports
Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of South Africa before you book.