Holy SeeSouth Africa

South Africa visa for citizens of the Holy See

Visa required

Citizens of the Holy See 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 citizens of the Holy See apply for a visa for South Africa

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

Measured from Vatican City, South African embassies and consulates are closest in Rome, Italy (4 km), Tunis, Tunisia (597 km) and Bern, Switzerland (686 km). Which post accepts applications from residents of the Holy See is decided by South Africa, so confirm it with the mission or the official visa portal before booking an appointment.

South African citizens travelling to the Holy See

South AfricaHoly See Visa required Holy See 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 the Holy See 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). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.

Good to know

How long citizens of the Holy See can stay in South Africa

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

How citizens of the Holy See apply

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

South Africa’s neighbours for citizens of the Holy See

Eswatini and Botswana admit citizens of the Holy See visa-free. Lesotho requires citizens of the Holy See to obtain a visa in advance.

South African citizens travelling to the Holy See

South African citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to the Holy See. The rule is the same in both directions between the Holy See and South Africa.

Frequently asked questions

Do citizens of the Holy See need a visa for South Africa?

Citizens of the Holy See must obtain a visa before travelling to South Africa.

Is there an embassy of South Africa in the Holy See?

No. South Africa has no embassy in the Holy See. The nearest South African embassy is in Rome, Italy, 4 km from Vatican City.

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 the Holy See?

South African citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to the Holy See.

Can citizens of the Holy See enter South Africa visa-free?

No; citizens of the Holy See 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.