International entry requirements into South Africa:
Valid passport and E-Ticket
Visa to enter South Africa (if applicable)
Upon arrival into South Africa, all travellers must present a negative PCR or Covid-19 test certificate not older than 72 hours from departure time from the country of origin.
Tests must be conducted and signed by a certified medical practitioner. South African authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of test certificates.
Passengers and crew entering South Africa via Johannesburg must fill in the digital Travel Health
Questionnaire here.
Once completed, you will be issued a unique number (look-up ID), to present to the Port Health Officers as part of the screening process, along with any other entry requirements.
Children below the age of 5 years do not need to provide a PCR test. Children over 5 years must produce a negative PCR test to enter South Africa. Should your child display positive symptoms or a parent tests positive while in South Africa, children below 6 years old may self-isolate with the parent without needing a test. Children under 2 years old do not have to wear masks on airplanes.
Any traveller who exhibits Covid-19 symptoms when screened upon arrival will be required to take a Covid-19 test at their own expense. Should the test display positive results, travellers will be subject to mandatory quarantine for 10 days at their own expense.
All travellers must complete an Entry Health Screen Form either prior to or on arrival.
All travelers will be screened by Port Health Officials upon arrival and departure. Those presenting symptoms must remain in quarantine until a repeat COVID-19 test is carried out.
All travelers must wear masks at all times within the airport or port of entry. Children below six years old do not need to wear face masks in public spaces.
Travelers must show proof of accommodation or address in South Africa in the event self-quarantine is required.
The following airports are open for international travel: OR Tambo in Joburg, Lanseri Airport in Joburg, King Shaka in Durban, Cape Town International Airport and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit.
Long-term visas will be reinstated and South African visa application centres abroad will be opened. Travelers are encouraged to install the COVID Alert SA mobile app.
PLEASE PRINT OUT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to present at check-in before boarding your flight to South Africa. *Please note that certain visas on arrival have been revoked and must be applied for prior to arrival in South Africa. Please check with your nearest SA Embassy.
International flights from South Africa
The following airlines are operating flights to and from South Africa:
Air Botswana
Air France
Air Peace
Air link
Air Seychelles
BA Comair
Cem Air
Egypt Air
Ethiopian Airlines
Fast jet
Fly West air
Kenya Air
KLM
LAM
Lufthansa
Pro flight Zambia
Qatar
Rwanda Air
Singapore Airlines
Swiss Air Lines
TAAG
Turkish Airlines
UK travel update: Only British and Irish citizens, or resident permit holders, are allowed to enter the UK and must isolate for 10 days upon arrival at a government-approved facility. Anyone travelling from or through South Africa will be denied entry to the UK.
USA travel update: Anyone travelling from or through South Africa within a 14-day period will be denied entry into the USA.
Overland travel South Africa’s 20 designated land borders and ports of entry are open to all travelers. Scholars and educators needing to commute daily from neighboring countries are free to do so, subject to entry requirements. Travelers must wear face masks. Learners and scholars commuting daily across the border do not need to produce a negative PCR test. Children below the age of 5 years do not need to provide a PCR test. Children over 5 years must produce a negative PCR test to enter South Africa. Travelers must present a completed Entry Health Screen Form (this does not apply to domestic travelers).
Exit requirements from South Africa Valid passport and E-Ticket Valid visa for arrival destination (if applicable) Quarantine arrangements upon arrival (if applicable) Any additional documents required for entry into your destination or transit country Face mask Completed Exit Health Form Travel insurance to cover Covid-19 related risks (highly recommended) Always check entry requirements at your arrival destination (visas, PCR tests, any additional requirements). All minor children (under the age of 18 years old) travelling through any South African port of entry must have an unabridged birth certificate or an equivalent document. If a child is accompanied by only one parent then a parental consent letter is needed, including a copy of the passport and contact details of the absent parent.
South Africa does not require a negative PCR test for departure, unless it is required by the country you’re travelling to. Certain countries require negative PCR when transiting through them. For a list of where to get tested, visit Pathcare, Lancet and Ampath.