Plainright South Africa — visas, laws and legal help in South Africa
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Country guide

Living in or visiting South Africa: the essentials

South Africa by the numbers

90+90days on arrival
Freetourist entry
Openproperty for foreigners
10111emergency number
Finesoverstay
How long you can stay on arrival, compared with the region
First stayExtension in the countrySouth Africa highlighted
Show as a table
CountryFirst stay (days)Extension (days)Rule
South Africa909090 days visa-free; one extension through VFS Global
Kenya9090Up to 90 days on the eTA; extendable to 180
Tanzania90NoneUp to 90 days per entry
Ghana3030As granted on arrival; extensions at the Ghana Immigration Service
Côte d'Ivoire90NoneAs stated on the visa, often up to 90 days

Sources: Department of Home Affairs (South Africa); Directorate of Immigration Services and etakenya.go.ke (Kenya); Immigration Services Department (Tanzania); Ghana Immigration Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ghana); SNEDAI (Côte d'Ivoire). Checked 8 November 2026. Rules for your passport may differ.

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    Country guide · checked 8 November 2026

    South Africa: what to know before and after you arrive

    Visas and costs, airports, getting to your hotel, renting a car, the laws that surprise visitors, buying property, getting married, what to avoid and what is important to know. Rules change often; each item links to the Ask tool for a full, current answer.

    Ask about my trip
    By the numbers · checked 7 November 2026

    South Africa compared with the region

    90+90days on arrival
    Freetourist entry
    Openproperty for foreigners
    10111emergency number
    Finesoverstay
    How long you can stay on arrival (days)
    First stayExtension in the countrySouth Africa highlighted
    Show as a table
    CountryFirst stay (days)Extension (days)Rule
    South Africa909090 days visa-free; one extension through VFS Global
    Kenya9090Up to 90 days on the eTA; extendable to 180
    Tanzania90NoneUp to 90 days per entry
    Ghana3030As granted on arrival; extensions at the Ghana Immigration Service
    Côte d'Ivoire90NoneAs stated on the visa, often up to 90 days
    What tourist entry costs (US$)
    Show as a table
    CountryCost (US$)Detail
    South Africa0Free for U.S., UK, EU and Canadian citizens; R500 ETA for visa-required nationalities
    Kenya31eTA about US$30–32.50
    Tanzania50US$50 single entry; US$100 multiple entry for U.S. citizens
    Ghana260E-visa fee announced at US$260 for non-Africans; free ETA for Africans
    Côte d'Ivoire80E-visa about €73–80, paid online

    Sources: Department of Home Affairs (South Africa); Directorate of Immigration Services and etakenya.go.ke (Kenya); Immigration Services Department (Tanzania); Ghana Immigration Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ghana); SNEDAI (Côte d'Ivoire). Checked 8 November 2026. Rules for your passport may differ.

    Property rules for foreigners
    • South Africa: Open to foreigners on the same terms as citizens
    • Kenya: Leases of up to 99 years; no freehold
    • Tanzania: No land ownership; investment land through TIC
    • Ghana: Leases of up to 50 years
    • Côte d'Ivoire: Urban land with ACD; rural land reserved for Ivorians
    Show as a table
    CountryForeign capDetail
    South AfricaNoneOpen to foreigners on the same terms as citizens
    KenyaNoneLeases of up to 99 years; no freehold
    TanzaniaNoneNo land ownership; investment land through TIC
    GhanaNoneLeases of up to 50 years
    Côte d'IvoireNoneUrban land with ACD; rural land reserved for Ivorians

    Sources: Deeds Registries Act (South Africa); Constitution art. 65 (Kenya); Land Act 1999 (Tanzania); Constitution art. 266 and Land Act 2020 (Ghana); Law 98-750 (Côte d'Ivoire). Checked 8 November 2026.

    Protect yourself

    How to spot a scam in South Africa

    Scams change every month, but they share the same warning signs. If two or more of these appear together, stop and check before you pay or share anything.

    Warning signs

    1. Pressure to act now: a deadline of minutes or hours, or a threat of arrest, deportation or a frozen account.
    2. Payment in an unusual way: gift cards, cryptocurrency, a personal bank account, or cash handed to a courier.
    3. Someone you met online, often recently, who asks for money, an investment or help moving funds.
    4. A caller or message claiming to be police, immigration, a court, a bank or a delivery company and asking for codes, passwords or a transfer. Real officials never ask for one-time codes.
    5. Returns that are guaranteed or far above normal, or a 'task' job that pays you first and then asks you to deposit money.
    6. A link or QR code that leads to a site that looks official but has a slightly different address.
    7. A request to keep it secret from your family, your bank or the police.
    8. An offer to 'recover' money you already lost, for an upfront fee. This is a second scam.

    Common scams in South Africa

    • Strangers 'helping' at ATMs who swap or skim cards.
    • Smash-and-grab thefts at traffic lights.
    • Fake car-guard or parking attendant fees.
    • Rental deposits paid to fake listings.
    • Look-alike visa and ETA websites.

    Where to report

    Police (SAPS)10111, or report at a police station for a case number.
    Your bankCall at once to block cards.
    Tourist assistanceReport tourism businesses to South African Tourism.

    If it already happened: the first hour

    1. Stop paying and stop replying. Do not send 'one last fee'.
    2. Call your bank or e-wallet at once and ask them to stop or recall the transfer. Speed matters: minutes count.
    3. Keep the evidence: screenshots, phone numbers, account numbers, links, receipts and dates.
    4. Report it to the official channel listed on this page and to the police, and keep the report number.
    5. Change your passwords and turn on two-step verification on email, banking and social media.
    6. If you are a foreign national, tell your embassy or consulate; they can help with lost passports and contacts.
    Real cases
    The ATM 'helper'

    A stranger offered to help with a stuck card and swapped it, then emptied the account.

    How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside shopping centres and never accept help.

    The smash-and-grab

    A bag on the passenger seat was taken through a broken window at traffic lights.

    How to avoid it: Keep bags in the boot and doors locked.

    The passport pages

    A traveller was refused boarding because her passport had only one blank page.

    How to avoid it: Check for two blank pages before you fly.

    Ask about a possible scam Find a lawyer

    Visas and costs

    • Visa-free 90 days for the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, Australia and about 100 others.
    • ETA for visa-required nationalities since August 2026; processing fee R500.
    • The old e-visa system closes on 1 December 2026.
    • Extensions through VFS Global, well before day 90.

    Airports

    • Johannesburg – O.R. Tambo (JNB), the main hub.
    • Cape Town International (CPT).
    • Durban – King Shaka (DUR); Kruger Mpumalanga (MQP) for safaris.

    From the airport to your hotel

    • Use the Gautrain from O.R. Tambo to Sandton and Pretoria.
    • Use app rides from the marked pick-up zones or pre-booked transfers.
    • Keep bags in the boot, not on the seat.

    Renting a car or motorbike

    • Driving is on the left.
    • A foreign licence in English with a photo is accepted; otherwise carry an International Driving Permit.
    • Keep doors locked and windows up at traffic lights.
    • Watch for animals and pedestrians on rural roads at night.

    Laws and what to know

    • Private cannabis use by adults is legal; dealing and public use are not.
    • Same-sex marriage is legal.
    • Drink-driving limit is 0.05 g per 100 ml; roadblocks are common.
    • Carry identification.

    Buying property

    • Foreigners can buy property on the same terms as citizens.
    • A conveyancing attorney handles the transfer and registration at the Deeds Office.
    • Transfer duty applies above a threshold.
    • Bring funds through a bank and keep the exchange-control records.

    Getting married

    • Civil marriage before a marriage officer at Home Affairs or a designated officer.
    • Expect unabridged birth certificates and proof of single status, apostilled.
    • Same-sex couples can marry under the Civil Union Act.

    What to avoid

    • Accepting help from strangers at ATMs.
    • Leaving valuables visible in a parked car.
    • Walking alone at night in city centres.
    • Overstaying your 90 days.

    Important to know

    • Emergency: 10111 police, 10177 ambulance, 112 from mobiles.
    • Report crimes at a police station and get a case number for insurance.
    • Load-shedding (power cuts) can still happen; carry a power bank.

    Key local laws

    • Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 — Bill of Rights, including dignity, privacy and access to courts.
    • Immigration Act 13 of 2002 — visitor stays, extensions, overstays and bans.
    • Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 — cooling-off, cancellation of fixed-term agreements and faulty goods.
    • Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999 and PIE Act 19 of 1998 — deposits and court-ordered evictions only.
    • Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 and Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 — dismissal and working conditions.
    • National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1996 — driving rules and crash claims.
    • Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 — your data rights.
    • Wills Act 7 of 1953 and Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987 — wills and inheritance.

    City guides

    Airports, immigration offices, hospitals and local rules in the places foreigners go most.

    Cape Town
    Airport
    Cape Town International (CPT), about 20 minutes from the centre.
    Immigration
    VFS Global centre for extensions.
    Hospitals
    Groote Schuur (public), Netcare Christiaan Barnard (private).
    Know this
    Keep valuables out of sight on Table Mountain trails and at beaches.
    Johannesburg and Pretoria
    Airport
    O.R. Tambo (JNB); Gautrain to Sandton and Pretoria.
    Immigration
    Department of Home Affairs head office in Pretoria; VFS centres.
    Hospitals
    Netcare Milpark, Life Fourways (private).
    Know this
    Use app rides at night; avoid the central business district after dark.
    Durban and KwaZulu-Natal
    Airport
    King Shaka International (DUR).
    Know this
    Swim only at beaches with shark nets and lifeguards.

    Legal topics in depth

    Property, marriage, children, inheritance, work, business, taxes and arrest.

    Buying property
    • Foreigners buy on the same terms as citizens.
    • A conveyancing attorney handles the transfer at the Deeds Office.
    • Transfer duty applies above a threshold.
    • Keep bank records to move money out later.
    Marriage and partners
    • Civil marriage before a marriage officer.
    • Same-sex marriage is legal under the Civil Union Act.
    • Spouses and life partners of citizens can apply for a spousal visa.
    Work and remote work
    • Local work needs a work visa.
    • The remote work visa covers foreign employers only.
    • Volunteering also needs the right visa.
    Taxes
    • Staying more than 183 days in 12 months can create tax residence.
    • Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
    • Check your country's tax treaty.
    Arrest and police
    • You have the right to remain silent and to a lawyer.
    • You must be brought before a court within 48 hours.
    • Ask for your consulate to be told.
    Consumer rights
    • The Consumer Protection Act gives a 5-day cooling-off period for direct marketing sales.
    • Defective goods can be returned within 6 months.
    • Complain to the National Consumer Commission.

    Step by step

    Office, time, cost, documents and each step for the most common procedures.

    Extend a visitor's visa

    Where VFS GlobalTime Weeks to monthsCost VFS fee plus Home Affairs fee

    Bring

    • Passport
    • Proof of funds
    • Onward ticket
    • Proof of accommodation

    Steps

    1. Book a VFS appointment online
    2. Submit before day 90
    3. Keep the receipt
    4. Collect the outcome
    Report a crime

    Where SAPS police stationTime Same dayCost Free

    Bring

    • Passport
    • Details of what happened

    Steps

    1. Go to the nearest station
    2. Ask for a case number
    3. Give it to your insurer and bank
    Apply for the remote work visa

    Where Embassy or VFS GlobalTime WeeksCost Visa fee

    Bring

    • Passport
    • Proof of foreign income
    • Medical insurance
    • Police clearance

    Steps

    1. Collect documents
    2. Apply abroad or through VFS
    3. Enter on the visa

    Real cases and scams

    What actually happens to foreigners, and how to avoid it.

    The ATM 'helper'

    A stranger offered to help with a stuck card and swapped it, then emptied the account.

    How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside shopping centres and never accept help.

    The smash-and-grab

    A bag on the passenger seat was taken through a broken window at traffic lights.

    How to avoid it: Keep bags in the boot and doors locked.

    The passport pages

    A traveller was refused boarding because her passport had only one blank page.

    How to avoid it: Check for two blank pages before you fly.

    The overstay ban

    A visitor who stayed 40 days too long was declared undesirable for a year.

    How to avoid it: Apply for an extension through VFS before day 90.

    Fees, offices and procedures in South Africa change often. Confirm with the office or a licensed lawyer before you rely on them.

    Visas and staying legal

    Visas and staying legal in South Africa

    Visa-free 90-day stays, the new Electronic Travel Authorisation for visa-required nationalities, extensions, remote-work and retirement visas, and overstay bans. Rules change often; this page was last checked on .

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    Listings are selected by published criteria and are not recommendations. We are not connected with, and receive no payment from, the offices listed unless a listing is clearly labelled "Sponsored". When you send your case, the office decides whether to respond and sets its own fees. Sending a case does not stop any legal deadline.

    3. Your use

    You must be at least 13. Do not misuse the service, submit unlawful content, attempt to access others' data, scrape the app or use it to harass anyone.

    4. Plans, subscriptions and cancellation

    Plainright is free to use. Plainright Plus and Family are subscriptions that renew automatically until cancelled. Prices, the renewal period and the trial length are shown before you buy. You can cancel online at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current period. In the apps, subscriptions are managed in your App Store or Google Play account. We will remind you before a free trial ends. Hardship codes give free access for the stated period and never renew into a paid plan.

    5. Content

    The app's content and design belong to IntelExpats LLC. You keep ownership of what you submit and give us permission to process it to provide the service.

    6. Disclaimers and limits

    The service is provided "as is". To the extent the law allows, we are not liable for indirect or consequential losses or for decisions you make based on general information. Nothing in these terms limits rights you have under consumer protection law.

    7. Law and disputes

    These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. Before starting any claim, contact us at contact@plainright.org so we can try to resolve it.

    8. Contact

    IntelExpats LLC · contact@plainright.org

    Your data

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    Ask us to delete your Plainright account and data, or to send you a copy. We reply within 30 days (45 days where the law allows).

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