South Africa entry requirements for Egypt passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Egyptian passport holders need an eVisa to enter South Africa in 2026. The eVisa is valid for tourism or business visits and must be obtained before travel. Processing takes 2–5 business days, so apply at least two weeks ahead.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| eVisa application Apply before travel | Egyptian passport holders need an eVisa to enter South Africa. Apply online at the South African Department of Home Affairs portal — processing takes 5–10 business days. Print the approval letter and carry it with your passport.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport At least 2 blank pages | Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in South Africa. Carry at least two blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration officers at OR Tambo and Cape Town routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready — airlines also check this at check-in. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host letter | Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter from your host with their address and contact number. Officers at land borders are more likely to ask than at airports. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or cash | Have a recent bank statement or enough cash (around 3,000 ZAR per day) to cover your stay. Officers rarely ask, but it helps if questioned about your itinerary. | Recommended |
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in South Africa, not from your departure date. If it expires sooner, renew before applying for the eVisa.
Keep digital copies of everything
Save scans of your passport, eVisa, flight tickets, and hotel booking in your phone or cloud storage. If you lose the paper copies, you can still show them at immigration.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for the eVisa online
Go to the official South African eVisa portal. Fill in your personal details, upload a digital passport photo and a scan of your passport bio page. Pay the fee (around $30–$50 depending on nationality). Submit and wait for approval — usually 2–5 business days.
2
Print your eVisa and travel documents
Once approved, print a copy of the eVisa email. Also print your flight itinerary, hotel booking, and travel insurance certificate. Keep them together in a folder.
3
Arrive at a South African airport
At OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, or King Shaka (Durban), proceed to the immigration queue for foreign passports. Have your passport, eVisa printout, return ticket, and accommodation proof ready.
4
Go through immigration
Hand over your documents. The officer will check your passport validity, eVisa, and onward travel. They may ask about your plans — answer clearly. You'll receive an entry stamp valid for up to 90 days.
Download South Africa Entry Checklist
PDF · Egypt Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
CostZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD)
Standard tourist visa for longer stays.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year from issue
CostZAR 2,700 (~$150 USD)
Ideal for frequent visitors.
Long-stay visa (visitor's permit)
Max stayUp to 3 years
ValidityVaries
CostZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) plus application fee
For study, work, or retirement; requires sponsorship.
retirement visa
Retirement Visa (Section 11(1)(b))
Up to 3 years, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) plus application fee
For individuals aged 60+ with sufficient pension or income. Requires proof of funds and medical cover.
work visa
General Work Visa
Up to 5 years, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) plus application fee
Requires a job offer and labor market test. Allows long-term stay and work.
student visa
Study Visa
Duration of course, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) plus application fee
For enrolled students at recognized institutions. Requires proof of enrollment and funds.
investor visa
Business Visa (Investor)
Up to 3 years, renewable
ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) plus application fee
For investors with minimum capital of ZAR 5 million. Requires business plan and proof of investment.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| eVisa (single entry)Standard fee for tourist eVisa. | ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For those applying at embassy. | ZAR 1,350 (~$75 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity. | ZAR 2,700 (~$150 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free or visa period. | ZAR 500 (~$28 USD) per day, max ZAR 10,000 (~$555 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete application20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through South Africa
No transit visa needed
Egypt passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through South African airports, provided they have a confirmed onward ticket and do not pass through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or passing through immigration, a visa is required.
Transit hubsO.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) · Cape Town International Airport (CPT) · King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
Health & vaccines for South Africa
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheriaEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)Essential
Health risks
MalariaModerate risk
Risk in low-altitude areas of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal.
DengueLow risk
Occasional outbreaks in tropical areas.
SchistosomiasisLow risk
Risk from swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers.
Malaria risk: moderate
Prophylaxis recommended for travel to risk areas, especially during rainy season (October–May).
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Pretoria
Department of Home Affairs (Head Office)
230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Main office for visa extensions and permits.
Cape Town
Department of Home Affairs (Cape Town)
Barrack Street, Cape Town
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Handles extensions and visa queries.
Practical information for EG travellers
Country basics
CapitalPretoria
Language11 official languages incl. Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid with IDP for tourist drives.
Money
CurrencySouth African Rand (ZAR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 16.27 ZAR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+10h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
M,NType M (large 3-pin) and N — US plugs do not fit. Bring an adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe in Cape Town and major cities. Use bottled water in rural areas.
Emergency numbers
Getting to South Africa
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to South Africa — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
Processing usually takes 2–5 business days, but can take longer during peak periods. Apply at least 2 weeks before your trip to be safe.
No, the eVisa does not allow extensions. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a different visa category before your current visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Rejections are rare but can happen if documents are incomplete or incorrect. You can reapply with corrected information. Common reasons: passport photo not meeting specs, missing pages, or unclear scans.
Only if you are traveling from or through a country with yellow fever risk. Check the WHO list. If required, you must show a valid yellow fever certificate at immigration.
Yes, the eVisa is accepted at all official ports of entry, including land borders like Beit Bridge (Zimbabwe) and Maseru Bridge (Lesotho).
South Africa uses the Rand (ZAR). ATMs are widely available at airports and cities. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Bring some cash for small purchases or tips.
It's not mandatory for entry, but strongly recommended. Medical costs in South Africa can be very high — a simple hospital visit can cost hundreds of dollars. Insurance covers that and trip cancellations.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.