United Arab Emirates → South Africa
United Arab Emirates 
South AfricaSouth Africa visa requirements for United Arab Emirates citizens (2026)
Visa-free · up to 90 days. No. United Arab Emirates passport holders do not need a visa for South Africa for tourism and can stay up to 90 days. You still need a valid passport and should carry proof of onward travel.
Visa-free for up to 90 days, no advance application needed.
VTBy the Visa and Trips editorial teamLast updated
South Africa entry requirements for United Arab Emirates citizens
- Requirement
- Visa-free
- Allowed stay
- 90 days
What to bring to South Africa
- Passport valid for the whole stay (many countries expect 6 months beyond arrival)
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank card or recent statement)
- Any arrival card or registration the destination asks for
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 United Arab Emirates passport gets visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 160 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 United Arab Emirates citizens need a visa for South Africa?
No. United Arab Emirates passport holders do not need a visa for South Africa for tourism and can stay up to 90 days. You still need a valid passport and should carry proof of onward travel.
How long can United Arab Emirates passport holders stay in South Africa?
Up to 90 days per visit for tourism without a visa. Overstaying can lead to fines or entry bans.
What documents do United Arab Emirates passport holders need for South Africa?
Passport valid for the whole stay (many countries expect 6 months beyond arrival); Return or onward ticket; Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address); Proof of sufficient funds (bank card or recent statement); Any arrival card or registration the destination asks for.
Do United Arab Emirates passport holders need to apply for anything before travelling to South Africa?
No advance visa application is needed for a tourist visit. Carry a valid passport and proof of onward travel.