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France visa for South African citizens
South Africa 
France South Africa passport holders need to obtain a visa from an embassy, consulate or visa centre before travelling to France.
Yes, a visa is required
- Entry requirement
- Visa required
- Maximum stay
- Set by the visa
- Apply before travel
- Yes
- Last updated
- February 2026
How to apply
Checked November 2026⚠️ The official ETIAS site says it is the only EU website that takes ETIAS applications directly and warns that intermediary sites collect your data and charge extra; ETIAS is not yet accepting applications, so any site selling one now is not official. Use only the official links below.
Schengen short-stay visa (type C), for nationalities that need a visa
- Fee
- EUR 90 for adults; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to under 12; free under 6. Some nationalities pay reduced rates under EU agreements (for example EUR 35; EUR 67.50 for Cabo Verde). External service-provider charges are extra.
- Processing
- Normally decided within 15 calendar days; can be extended to 45 days. Apply no earlier than 6 months and normally at least 15 days before travel.
At the border
- Passport (or travel document) must have been issued within the last 10 years and stay valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.
- Visa-free and visa holders alike may stay no more than 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries together.
- Entry/Exit System: on your first crossing since EES started, border officers record your passport data, a facial image and fingerprints; passports are no longer stamped since 10 April 2026.
- Border police may ask for proof of accommodation, a return ticket (or money to buy one), funds and travel medical insurance covering hospital costs and repatriation.
- France sets funds at EUR 65 per day with a hotel booking or EUR 120 per day without one; guests staying with a private host need a town-hall-validated 'attestation d'accueil' plus at least EUR 32.50 per day.
- Visa applicants need travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area with at least EUR 30,000 cover, including emergency care and repatriation.
Recent changes
- October 2025: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began a phased rollout at external borders on 12 October 2025.
- April 2026: EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026 and replaced manual passport stamping for short-stay non-EU visitors.
- July 2025: the European Commission set the future ETIAS fee at EUR 20 instead of EUR 7; ETIAS itself has not launched.
Official source: France-Visas (official visa website of the French government) · Not yet confirmed officially: France-Visas own warning about look-alike visa sites (not checked; scamWarning uses the EU ETIAS statement instead), France-Visas FAQ figure of EUR 90 seen only in a search excerpt; fee confirmed separately on EU and German official pages, Minimum insurance amount (EUR 30,000) not stated on the France-Visas pages read; it is the Schengen-wide rule confirmed on the German mission page
What South Africa passport holders need to do
- Find the embassy, consulate or visa application centre that covers where you live.
- Complete the application form and gather your documents: passport, photos, itinerary, proof of funds and accommodation.
- Book an appointment, pay the fee and give biometrics if they are required.
- Wait for the decision before you book non-refundable travel.
South Africa is one of 105 passports in the “visa required” group for France. See the full France visa requirements for every passport.
Easier alternatives in Europe for South Africa passport holders
France is one of 71 destinations in the “visa required” group for the South Africa passport, which ranks #43 worldwide with a mobility score of 98. Of 46 destinations in Europe, 1 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.
| Destination | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
 Russia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| France | Visa required | – |
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for France?
South Africa passport holders need to obtain a visa from an embassy, consulate or visa centre before travelling to France.
Can South African citizens get a visa on arrival in France?
No. South Africa passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling to France.
Do France citizens need a visa for South Africa?
France passport holders can enter South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.
France visa requirements for other passports
Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of France before you book.