South Africa passport → Japan

Do South African citizens need a visa for Japan?

eVisa (apply online)

South African passport holders need an eVisa for Japan. You apply and pay online before you travel.

Apply on the official site: mofa.go.jp

What this means for your trip

Apply through the official channel (the government portal, or the airline or agent it names) and keep a printed copy of the approval.
Processing usually takes a few working days; apply at least two weeks ahead.
Check that the eVisa type matches your purpose of travel.

Get trip-ready for Japan

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Japan at a glance

Capital: Tokyo
Currency: Japanese yen (JPY)
Languages: Japanese
Calling code: +81
Region: Eastern Asia

Read the Japan travel guide →

Kiyomizu-dera.

JP36.0°N · 138.0°EPhoto: Jordy Meow · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Temples, bullet trains and the perfect bowl of ramenFushimi Inari Taisha · Mount Fuji and Hakone · Shibuya and Asakusa

Japan for other passports

South AfricaeVisa
IndiaeVisa
United StatesVisa-free90 days
United KingdomVisa-free90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free90 days
ChinaeVisa
SingaporeVisa-free90 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required

Nearby in Eastern Asia for South African passport holders

Hong KongVisa-free30 days
MacaoVisa-free30 days
South KoreaeTA30 days
MongoliaeVisa
ChinaVisa required
North KoreaVisa required
TaiwanVisa required

Common questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Japan?

South African passport holders need an eVisa for Japan. You apply and pay online before you travel.

How long can South African citizens stay in Japan?

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 Japan?

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.