Syria → South Africa
Syria 
South AfricaSouth Africa visa requirements for Syria citizens (2026)
Embassy visa required. Yes. Syria passport holders need a visa for South Africa that must be issued before travel, usually with an embassy or visa-center appointment. Usually 2–6 weeks after the embassy appointment.
Embassy visa required. Apply in person at the embassy, consulate or official visa center.
VTBy the Visa and Trips editorial teamLast updated
South Africa visa requirements for Syria citizens
- Requirement
- Embassy visa required
- Allowed stay
- Set by the embassy on your visa
- Embassy processing
- Usually 2–6 weeks after the embassy appointment
Typical estimate
Documents needed
- Completed visa application form
- Passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages (plus old passports)
- 2 recent passport photos to the embassy’s spec
- Bank statements (often the last 3–6 months)
- Employment / leave letter or business / study proof
- Hotel bookings and a flight reservation
- Travel medical insurance where required
- Appointment confirmation and biometrics (fingerprints)
How Syria citizens apply for the South Africa visa
- Choose the right visa category (tourist / visitor).
- Book an appointment at the embassy or official visa center.
- Gather documents: forms, photos, bank statements, bookings, insurance.
- Attend the appointment, give biometrics and pay the fee.
- Track the application and collect your passport.
Easier alternatives for Syria passport holders
Popular destinations with simpler entry for the Syria passport than South Africa, easiest first. Only rules we have verified against an official source are listed.
| Destination | Requirement | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | eTA / ETA required | Per visa terms |
| Thailand | e-Visa required | Per visa terms |
South Africa at a glance for travellers
- 93 of 198 passports can enter South Africa without a visa (visa-free, visa on arrival or an ETA).
- The Syria passport gets visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 24 destinations in our dataset.
Sources and last checked
| What | Official source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement & allowed stay | Open passport-index dataset (passportindex.org data, 17 Feb 2026) | 17 Feb 2026 |
| Fees, processing & entry formalities | South Africa ETA (DHA) | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Fees, processing & entry formalities | DIRCO: countries exempt from visas | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Official portal | South Africa Department of Home Affairs | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Independent official overview | UK FCDO, South Africa entry requirements | 22 Oct 2026 |
The Visa and Trips editorial team checks these sources every week. See our editorial and verification policy.
Frequently asked questions
Do Syria citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Yes. Syria passport holders need a visa for South Africa that must be issued before travel, usually with an embassy or visa-center appointment. Usually 2–6 weeks after the embassy appointment.
What documents do Syria passport holders need for South Africa?
Completed visa application form; Passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages (plus old passports); 2 recent passport photos to the embassy’s spec; Bank statements (often the last 3–6 months); Employment / leave letter or business / study proof; Hotel bookings and a flight reservation; Travel medical insurance where required; Appointment confirmation and biometrics (fingerprints).
Where do Syria passport holders apply for a South Africa visa?
At the embassy, consulate or official visa center of South Africa that serves your place of residence, usually in person with an appointment and biometrics.
How long does a South Africa visa take for Syria passport holders?
Usually 2–6 weeks after the embassy appointment (typical estimate). Appointment availability varies, so start several weeks before your trip.