BhutanSouth Africa

South Africa visa for Bhutanese citizens

Visa required

Bhutanese citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to South Africa.

Where to apply
No mission in your country

Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index

Which South Africa visa?

Visitor's visa (section 11 of the Immigration Act) and visa-exempt holiday visits

Key facts

Fee
ZAR 425

All visa types for South Africa

South Africa’s tourist visa costs ZAR 425 at the standard rate published by its authorities.

Where Bhutanese citizens apply for a visa for South Africa

South Africa has no embassy or consulate in Bhutan on our records; applications usually go through a mission in a neighbouring country or an online portal.

The nearest South African missions to Thimphu are in New Delhi, India (1,231 km from Thimphu), Islamabad, Pakistan (1,732 km) and Hanoi, Vietnam (1,791 km). South Africa sets which of its missions takes applications from Bhutan; the mission or the official visa portal confirms it before an appointment is booked.

South African citizens travelling to Bhutan

South AfricaBhutan e-Visa Bhutan visa for citizens of South Africa

Travel advice for South Africa

  • US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
  • UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
  • German Foreign Office No travel warning

What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.

Before travelling from Bhutan to South Africa, it helps to know the official travel advice: the US State Department rates South Africa at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 26 May 2025), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to South Africa (updated 5 November 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for South Africa (updated 28 October 2026).

Good to know

How long Bhutanese citizens can stay in South Africa

How long Bhutanese citizens may stay in South Africa is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.

How Bhutanese citizens apply

South Africa has no embassy or career consulate in Bhutan. Bhutanese citizens apply through a mission of South Africa accredited to Bhutan from abroad; the official visa portal of South Africa names the right place.

South Africa’s neighbours for Bhutanese citizens

Eswatini and Lesotho require Bhutanese citizens to obtain a visa in advance.

South African citizens travelling to Bhutan

South African citizens need a visa for Bhutan, which they can apply for online as an e-Visa.

Frequently asked questions

Do Bhutanese citizens need a visa for South Africa?

Bhutanese citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to South Africa.

Is there an embassy of South Africa in Bhutan?

No. South Africa has no embassy in Bhutan. The nearest South African embassy is in New Delhi, India, 1,231 km from Thimphu.

How much does the South Africa tourist visa cost?

South Africa’s official sources give a standard fee of ZAR 425 for the tourist visa.

Do South African citizens need a visa for Bhutan?

South African citizens need a visa for Bhutan, which they can apply for online as an e-Visa.

Can Bhutanese citizens enter South Africa visa-free?

No; Bhutanese citizens need a visa for South Africa obtained in advance.

Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.