South Korean passport · South Africa · checked 2026-10-11

Do South Korean citizens need a visa for South Africa?

The short answerNo. South Korean citizens don’t need a visa for South Africa for stays of up to 30 days per visit (visa exemption). Go to the official site.

The official link goes to dha.gov.za. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay or travel.

At a glance

South Africa entry rules for South Korean citizens.

VerdictVisa-free
DocumentNone
StayUp to 30 days per visit (visa exemption)
CheckedVerified on an official page · 2026-10-11

The rest of the trip for a South Korean passport, from the arrival form to customs and travelling with children: South Africa entry requirements.

Worth knowing

The details for a South Korean passport.

Asterisked on the DHA list: visa fees apply only if the intended visit exceeds 30 days, so stays over 30 days need a visa applied for in advance. Visa-exempt travellers may apply for South Africa's ETA voluntarily (optional, ZAR 500) but do not need it; visa-free stays were not withdrawn when the ETA launched (Aug 2026).

Your passport

How long it must be valid.

Passport must be valid for at least 30 days after the date you intend to leave South Africa.

What changed

Recent changes in South Africa.

  • 2025-10 — ETA pilot began for G20 delegations from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico (OR Tambo and Cape Town; Lanseria added Nov 2025).
  • 2025-12-09 — DHA reissued its visa-exemption list (adds 2025 exemptions such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia).
  • 2026-02-12 — ETA opened to ordinary-passport holders of China, India, Indonesia and Mexico entering via OR Tambo, Cape Town or Lanseria.
Questions

The short answers.

Do South Korean citizens need a visa for South Africa?

No. South Korean citizens don’t need a visa for South Africa for stays of up to 30 days per visit (visa exemption).

How long can South Korean citizens stay in South Africa?

Up to 30 days per visit (visa exemption). Longer stays need a different visa.

Where do South Korean citizens apply?

On the official site, dha.gov.za. NUM links it and never charges for the link.

Does NUM issue South Africa visas?

No. Only the government issues them. NUM explains the rule for your passport, links the official site, and can file the form for you where its desk covers it.

Sources

Where this comes from.