South Africa passport → United Arab Emirates

Do South African citizens need a visa for the United Arab Emirates?

Visa required in advance

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

Heads-up: some sources list this route as eVisa.

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 United Arab Emirates

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United Arab Emirates at a glance

Capital: Abu Dhabi
Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham (AED)
Languages: Arabic
Calling code: +971
Region: Western Asia

Read the United Arab Emirates travel guide →

Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) and the Dubai skyline

AE24.0°N · 54.0°EPhoto: imran shahabuddin · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Desert, skyline and the easiest weekend away from IndiaBurj Khalifa and Dubai Mall · Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque · Desert safari

United Arab Emirates for other passports

South AfricaVisa required
IndiaVisa required
United StatesVisa-free90 days
United KingdomVisa-free90 days
ChinaVisa-free90 days
SingaporeVisa-free90 days
PakistaneVisa
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaeVisa
PhilippinesVisa required
CanadaVisa-free90 days

Nearby in Western Asia for South African passport holders

GeorgiaVisa-free365 days
OmanVisa-free14 days
PalestineVisa-free
QatarVisa-free30 days
ArmeniaVisa on arrival120 days
BahrainVisa on arrival14 days
JordanVisa on arrival30 days
Saudi ArabiaVisa on arrival90 days

Common questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for the United Arab Emirates?

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

How long can South African citizens stay in the United Arab Emirates?

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 United Arab Emirates?

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.