Amreican Citizens visiting South Africa need a valid passport with at least 6 months validity, and very important 2 free Visa pages.

The 2 free Visa pages is important, as the custom officials in South Africa do have the authority to not allow entry in the country if these requirements are not adhered to.

American citizens do not need any speficic Visa for a visit under 90 days, and transits. A entry stamp is obtained free of charge at your port of entry into South Africa.

From the South african Tourism site(subject to change at any time)

Passport / Visas: US, Canadian and European Union passport holders do not need a visa for vacation travel. If you are traveling on business or hold a different passport to the ones specified above, contact your nearest South African consulate for more information on visa requirements.

South African Embassy
Washington DC: 202-232-4400

South African Consulates
New York: 212-213-4880
Chicago: 312-939-7929
Los Angeles: 323-651-0902
Ottawa: 613-744-0330

South Africa

3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008

Telephone: (202) 232-4400
Fax: (202) 265-1607

Entry requirements

A valid acceptable passport / travel document good for a sufficient period to cover the intended stay. A valid visa, if required. Sufficient funds. A return / onward ticket. Yellow fever certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.   ***Visas are not required by citizens of the following countries for the periods and subject to the conditions indicated:***(These are subject to chang at any time,and I suggest you check with your nearest South Africa Consulate if you are not a citizen of the USA. Holders of South African passports, travel documents and documents for travel purposes.   Holders of passports of Australia, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands, the Republic of Ireland as well as British Overseas Territories are totally exempt from South African visa control and thus do not require visas for any purpose regulated by visas. PLEASE NOTE: Nationals of the British Dependent Territories are subject to visa control. The Territories are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Cucie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the Turks and Caicos Islands.   Country Condition Andorra Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Antigua and Barbuda Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Argentina Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Austria Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Barbados Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Belgium Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Belize Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Benin Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Bolivia Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Botswana Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Brazil Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Canada Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Cape Verde Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Chile Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Costa Rica Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Cyprus Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Diplomatic and official passport holders visiting the RSA for holiday purposes are exempt for 90 days. Czech Republic Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Denmark Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Ecuador Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Egypt Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Finland Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits France Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Gabon Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Germany Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Greece Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Guyana Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Hong Kong Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits This exemption is only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National - Overseas (BNO) passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports. Hungary Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Diplomatic and official passport holders visiting the RSA for holiday purposes are exempt for 120 days. Iceland Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Israel Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Italy Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Jamaica Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Japan Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Jordan Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Lesotho Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Liechtenstein Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Luxemburg Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Macau Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits This exemption is only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR). Malaysia Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Maldives Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Malta Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Malta Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Mauritius Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Mexico Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Monaco Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Morocco Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Namibia Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Netherlands (Kingdom of the) Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits New Zealand Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Norway Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Paraguay Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Peru Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Poland Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Portugal Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Romania Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 90 days and transits San Marino Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Seychelles Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Singapore Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Slovak Republic Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits South Korea Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Spain Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits St Vincent & the Grenadines Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Swaziland Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Sweden Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Switzerland Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Taiwan (Republic of China) Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Thailand Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Tunisia Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Turkey Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits United States of America Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Uruguay Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Venezuela Visits not exceeding 90 days and transits Zambia Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Zimbabwe Visits not exceeding 30 days and transits Only in respect of government officials, including police on cross border investigation