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Do South African citizens need a visa for South Korea?
South Africa 
South Korea South Africa passport holders do not need a traditional visa for South Korea, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before departure.
No visa, but an eTA is required
- Entry requirement
- eTA required
- Maximum stay
- Check on entry
- Apply before travel
- Yes
- Last updated
- February 2026
What South Africa passport holders need to do
- Apply on the official government website or app before you book non-refundable travel.
- Pay the fee and wait for approval, which usually arrives by email within minutes to a few days.
- Travel with the same passport you used in the application.
South Africa is one of 48 passports in the “eta required” group for South Korea. See the full South Korea visa requirements for every passport.
Other easy destinations in Asia for South Africa passport holders
South Korea is one of 5 destinations in the “eta required” group for the South Africa passport, which ranks #43 worldwide with a mobility score of 98. Of 50 destinations in Asia, 26 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.
| Destination | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
 Georgia | Visa-free | 360 days |
 Hong Kong | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Israel | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Macau | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Malaysia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Palestine | Visa-free | – |
 Philippines | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Singapore | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Thailand | Visa-free | 60 days |
 Armenia | Visa on arrival | – |
 Cambodia | Visa on arrival | – |
 Indonesia | Visa on arrival | – |
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for South Korea?
South Africa passport holders do not need a traditional visa for South Korea, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before departure.
Do South Korea citizens need a visa for South Africa?
South Korea passport holders can enter South Africa without a visa for up to 30 days.
South Korea 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 Korea before you book.