South Africa passport → France

Do South African citizens need a visa for France?

Visa required in advance

South African passport holders need a visa for France, arranged before you travel. Depending on the country, that means an online application, a sponsor or agent, or an appointment at a visa centre.

Apply on the official site: france-visas.gouv.fr

What this means for your trip

Start early. Some countries take the whole application online; others need a visa-centre appointment for fingerprints, and waits can be long in peak season.
Typical documents: application form, photos, bank statements, tax returns, an employment letter, bookings and travel insurance.
If you already hold certain other visas, a simpler route may apply. Check the section below.

Get trip-ready for France

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France at a glance

Capital: Paris
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: French
Calling code: +33
Region: Western Europe

Read the France travel guide →

Le Mont-Saint-Michel vu du ciel au lever du soleil. Photo prise par un drone.

FR46.0°N · 2.0°EPhoto: Amaustan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Paris, Provence and the RivieraEiffel Tower · Louvre Museum · Mont-Saint-Michel

France for other passports

South AfricaVisa required
IndiaVisa required
United StatesVisa-free90 days
United KingdomVisa-free90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free90 days
ChinaVisa required
SingaporeVisa-free90 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required

Nearby in Western Europe for South African passport holders

AustriaVisa required
BelgiumVisa required
GermanyVisa required
LiechtensteinVisa required
LuxembourgVisa required
MonacoVisa required
NetherlandsVisa required
SwitzerlandVisa required

Common questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for France?

South African passport holders need a visa for France, arranged before you travel. Depending on the country, that means an online application, a sponsor or agent, or an appointment at a visa centre.

How long can South African citizens stay in France?

The allowed stay depends on the visa you are granted. Check the decision letter or entry stamp.

Can South African citizens get a visa on arrival in France?

Not under the standard rules.

How many countries can South African citizens visit without a visa?

93 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The South Africa passport ranks #46 of 93 (passports with equal scores share a rank).

Source: Wikipedia contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0). Updated weekly. Rules can change, so give the official site a quick look before you fly.