South Africa
Summary
COVID-19 entry restrictions for South Africa
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for South Africa’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re travelling to South Africa during coronavirus, see the Coronavirus page for more information.
During the COVID-19 pandemic it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check your cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
For the latest information and guidance on COVID-19 in South Africa, see the Coronavirus page . You should ensure you can comply with South Africa’s Entry requirements before planning your travel.
There are regular protest marches, demonstrations, and periodic incidents of public disorder across South Africa, which can become violent. See Protests and demonstrations
Over 430,000 British tourists visited South Africa in 2019. Most visits are trouble-free, but a small number of British people encounter problems. You should take sensible precautions to protect your safety.
South Africa has a high rate of crime including carjacking, house robberies, rape and murder. The risk of violent crime to visitors travelling to the main tourist destinations is generally low, but all visitors should remain vigilant. Most violent crimes tend to occur in townships and isolated areas. However, armed robberies and violent crime have taken place in other places, including popular tourist spots such as Table MountainMountain. and the surrounding area of Numbi gate, outside Kruger National Park. Crime can also take place in and around transport hubs, including airports.airports . See Crime and Airports sections.
There are special requirements for travelling to South Africa with children under the age of 18. See Travelling with children
Beach conditions and local safety provisions vary considerably throughout the South African coastline and every year several people drown due to the strong sea currents. See Water safety
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in South Africa. See Terrorism
British nationals are increasingly being targeted by scam artists. See Fraud and scams
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2025-04-14 10:57
Updated information about what health risks you’ll face in South Africa, including Mpox (‘Health’ page).
2025-03-11 12:15
Updated information about Table Mountain National Park, wildfires in Cape Town and air travel (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-02-03 16:36
Updated information on the South Africa-Mozambique border (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2025-01-22 16:14
Update on flight disruptions at Cape Town International Airport (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-12-30 15:35
Addition of information on possible disruption to travel, including delays or closures at the border at short notice (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-12-11 12:39
Updated information on the political situation and new information on solo and women travellers (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-08-16 09:52
New information on rehabilitation centres in South Africa (‘Health’ page).
2024-08-13 09:07
New information on the risks of resisting during a robbery (see ‘Protecting yourself and your belongings’), and on taking care around marine animals (see ‘Swimming safety’), and an update on the threat from terrorism (see ‘Terrorism in South Africa’).
2024-07-15 11:41
Removal of information about floods in Cape Town and surrounding areas (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-12 14:47
New information about floods in Cape Town and surrounding areas (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-10 14:55
New information about floods in Cape Town, Drakenstein and Stellenbosch on Thursday 11 July (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-06-25 15:17
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-01-04 15:12
Information on passport validity requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-12-20 13:16
Updated information on terrorism, travelling to and from Cape Town International Airport and additional safety information on Table Mountain National Park, including Lion’s Head and Signal Hill (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-23 16:10
Information on travelling to and from Cape Town International Airport (‘Safety and security’). Additional safety information on Table Mountain National Park, including Lion’s Head and Signal Hill (‘Safety and security’).
2023-11-10 12:12
Information on ‘smash and grab’ attacks on vehicles (‘Safety and security’ page).Information on the less secure areas around international airports in Johannesburg and Cape Town (‘Safety and security’ page).Additional information on asking for a life-jacket when participating in water sports (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-06 15:44
Information on outdoor activities and adventure tourism (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-14 15:04
Removal of information about Cape Town minibus taxi strikes (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-11 14:24
Information on checking for disruption before travelling, sticking to major routes and taking care not to divert into less secure areas (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-07 14:40
Information about current strikes affecting Cape Town, which have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport (See ‘Political situation’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-07 07:52
“Additional information about current strikes affecting Cape Town, which have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport (see Safety and security page)”
2023-08-05 12:52
Latest update: Information about current strikes affecting Cape Town, which have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport (see “Safety and security” page).
2023-08-04 17:57
Information about current strikes affecting Cape Town, including general safety and travel to/from the airport
2023-07-17 16:09
Information about the cross border travel between South Africa and Mozambique and passport requirements for entry (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-06-22 12:14
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-06-05 14:13
This travel advice has been updated to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-01 15:29
Information on cholera outbreak in Guateng (‘Health’ page).
2023-05-09 12:56
Removal of information about the planned protest on Monday 20 March and additions to Safety and security (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-16 15:16
Addition of information about the planned protest on Monday 20 March (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-02 10:02
Addition of information about critical infrastructure and removal of information about Tropical storm Freddy (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2023-02-24 11:20
Addition of information about Tropical storm Freddy (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-14 11:16
Updates to safety and security text (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-12-23 14:30
Updates to safety and security and removal of COVID-19 restrictions text (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Terrorism’, ‘Entry requirements” and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-10-31 11:05
Removed information on a United States government security alert issued for the 29-30 October 2022 (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2022-10-27 16:47
Updated with information of the likelihood of terrorist attacks in South Africa (‘Summary page’) and (‘Terrorism Page’)
2022-10-26 16:55
Updated information about a possible terrorist attack in the Sandton area of Johannesburg (‘Summary’ and ’Terrorism’ pages).
2022-10-26 16:37
New information about a possible terrorist attack in the Sandton area of Johannesburg (‘Summary’ and ’Terrorism’ pages).
2022-10-18 10:19
New information about the risks of crime in South Africa (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-08-04 13:10
New information about the risks of violent crime in South Africa (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-07-29 15:28
Updated information on crime (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-07-22 16:09
New information about power outages, vehicle crime and acceptance of UK Emergency Passports in South Africa (‘Local Laws and Customs’, ‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-24 15:40
Updated information on the easing of local restrictions in South Africa and the lifting of COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-15 10:31
Addition of information on water restrictions (‘Local laws and customs’ page). Updated information on providing proof of vaccination status and checking expiry of tourist visas (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-13 16:00
Updated information on entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-13 15:32
Addition of information on heavy rain and flooding in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and advice for those travelling in the area (‘Summary’ page)
2022-03-29 15:26
More information on coronavirus restrictions in South Africa and entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-25 16:41
Updated information on coronavirus restrictions in South Africa and entry requirements (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-02-22 12:08
Full review and update to information on safety and security in South Africa (‘Safety and security’ page)