South Africa
France
France visa for South African citizens
Entry requirement
South African citizens need a visa for France, obtained before travel.
- Where to apply
- 3 missions
- Visa guide
- France visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at za.ambafrance.org
Which France visa?
Uniform Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
- Processing time
- Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
For the tourist visa, France’s official sources give a standard fee of €90, and applications are made on france-visas.gouv.fr. Processing time, as France states it: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
French missions in South Africa
- Embassy of France in Pretoria
Melk Street 250, 0181 Pretoria
- Consulate General of France in Johannesburg
Rosebank Corner Building, 3ème étage, 191 Jan Smuts Avenue, 2193 Parktown North, Randburg, 2196 Johannesburg
- Consulate General of France in Cape Town
Queen Victoria Street 78, 8001 Cape Town
All missions of France in South Africa
France has 3 missions in South Africa, with its embassy in Pretoria. Consulates: Johannesburg and Cape Town.
France: visa decisions in South Africa
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 39,862 | 37,317 | 2,254 | 5.7% | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 30,304 | 27,375 | 2,842 | 9.4% | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 32,905 | 29,622 | 2,742 | 8.5% | 34.5% |
In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in South Africa (Johannesburg and Cape Town) received 32,905 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 29,622. The refusal rate was 8.5%. That is barely different from 2024 (9.4%). Applications rose by 9% compared with 2024 (30,304).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 5.3% of the applications lodged in South Africa that year, from 1.8% at the consulates of Greece to 21.9% at those of Croatia. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the 2nd most applied-for Schengen state in South Africa.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in South Africa, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
French citizens travelling to South Africa
FranceSouth Africa Visa-free, 90 days South Africa visa for citizens of France
Travel advice for France
- 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.
South African citizens planning a trip to France can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates France at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 20 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to France (updated 22 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for France (updated 3 November 2026).
Good to know
How long South African citizens can stay in France
How long South African citizens may stay in France is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How South African citizens apply
In South Africa, applications go to the French embassy in Pretoria and the consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town, or to a visa centre acting for France; fees, documents and processing times are published by France.
France and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by France lets South African citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to France when it is the main destination of the trip.
France’s neighbours for South African citizens
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain require South African citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
French citizens travelling to South Africa
French citizens can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for France?
South African citizens need a visa for France, obtained before travel.
Where is the French embassy in South Africa?
The French embassy in South Africa is in Pretoria; there are also consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
How much does the France tourist visa cost?
France’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
Do French citizens need a visa for South Africa?
French citizens can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.
Can South African citizens enter France visa-free?
No; South African citizens need a visa for France 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.