South Africa
Japan
Japan visa for South African citizens
Entry requirement
South African citizens need a visa for Japan, which they can apply for online as an e-Visa.
- Where to apply
- 1 mission
- Visa guide
- Japan visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at za.emb-japan.go.jp
Which Japan visa?
Temporary Visitor (short-term stay: tourism, business, visits)
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days per entry, as granted by the immigration officer
- Processing time
- About one week for a complete visa application
Japan’s official site for the tourist visa is services.digital.go.jp. Processing time, as Japan states it: About one week for a complete visa application. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days per entry, as granted by the immigration officer.
Japanese missions in South Africa
Japan has 1 mission in South Africa, with its embassy in Pretoria.
Japanese citizens travelling to South Africa
JapanSouth Africa Visa-free, 90 days South Africa visa for citizens of Japan
Travel advice for Japan
- US State Department Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office Partial travel warning for parts of the country (Teilreisewarnung)
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 Japan can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates Japan at Level 1, exercise normal precautions (updated 14 May 2025), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Japan (updated 28 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has a partial travel warning (Teilreisewarnung) for parts of Japan (updated 13 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Good to know
How long South African citizens can stay in Japan
How long South African citizens may stay in Japan is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How South African citizens apply
The e-Visa for Japan is applied for online on its official government portal; South African citizens carry the approval when they travel.
Japanese citizens travelling to South Africa
South Africa admits Japanese citizens without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Japan?
South African citizens need a visa for Japan, which they can apply for online as an e-Visa.
Where is the Japanese embassy in South Africa?
The Japanese embassy in South Africa is in Pretoria.
Do Japanese citizens need a visa for South Africa?
South Africa admits Japanese citizens without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Can South African citizens enter Japan visa-free?
No; South African citizens need an e-Visa for Japan.
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.