South Africa passport → Netherlands

Do South African citizens need a visa for the Netherlands?

Visa required in advance

South African passport holders need a visa for the Netherlands, applied for in advance at an embassy, consulate or visa application centre.

What this means for your trip

Book an appointment with the embassy, consulate or its visa centre early. Waits can be long in peak season.
Typical documents: application form, photos, bank statements, ITR, 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 the Netherlands

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Netherlands at a glance

Capital: Amsterdam
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: Dutch
Calling code: +31
Region: Western Europe

Read the Netherlands travel guide →

keukenhof garden

NL52.5°N · 5.8°EPhoto: Urdulife · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Canals, bikes and spring tulipsKeukenhof Gardens · Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum · Anne Frank House

Netherlands 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
FranceVisa required
GermanyVisa required
LiechtensteinVisa required
LuxembourgVisa required
MonacoVisa required
SwitzerlandVisa required

Common questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for the Netherlands?

South African passport holders need a visa for the Netherlands, applied for in advance at an embassy, consulate or visa application centre.

How long can South African citizens stay in the Netherlands?

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 the Netherlands?

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 #47 of 94 (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.