United Arab Emirates visa for South African citizens
e-Visa (apply online)
🇿🇦 South African passport → 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates: yes — an e-visa, applied for online before travel.
How it works
Apply online before you travel: passport scan, photo, fee. Approval typically takes a few days — apply at least a week ahead, print or save the approval, and carry it.
Heads-up: United Arab Emirates commonly asks for proof of onward travel (airline check-in).
Before the airport: run the "Will I board?" checklist for this route →
Beyond United Arab Emirates: the South Africa passport
The 🇿🇦 South Africa passport ranks #96 of 199 worldwide, entering 98 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (see the world ranking).
Also visa-free on the South Africa passport: 🇹🇭 Thailand (60 days), 🇸🇬 Singapore (30 days), 🇲🇾 Malaysia (90 days) — all 98 open destinations.
Going the other way? Emirati citizens visiting South Africa need no visa — visa-free for up to 90 days.
Never get caught out
Visa rules change with little notice. Get one email when United Arab Emirates changes its entry rules for South African passports.
Capital Abu Dhabi · Currency United Arab Emirates dirham (د.إ) · Dialling +971
Before you travel
Sorting your United Arab Emirates trip on the South Africa passport:
See the whole picture
Every destination for the South Africa passport, and everyone who can enter United Arab Emirates.
South African passport: all destinations Who can enter United Arab Emirates Plan the trip