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Turkey visa for South African citizens
South Africa 
Turkey South Africa passport holders need a visa for Turkey, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa.
Yes, an e-Visa is required
- Entry requirement
- e-Visa
- Maximum stay
- Set by the visa
- Apply before travel
- Yes
- Last updated
- February 2026
How to apply
Checked November 2026⚠️ The Turkish foreign ministry and its consulates warn that many commercial sites copy the look of evisa.gov.tr, add service charges or issue fake e-Visas, and are not linked to the government. Use only the official links below.
Türkiye e-Visa (Electronic Visa Application System)
- Fee
- Varies by nationality; the portal shows the amount after you select your nationality, and payment is accepted in US dollars only
- Valid for
- Validity period is separate from permitted stay; entry is allowed any time within the validity period (exact period shown on the e-Visa)
- Stay
- Depends on nationality (for example, Mexican ordinary passport holders get a 30-day single-entry e-Visa)
- Processing
- Issued online after payment
- Apply
- Before departure; only for tourism or business trips
At the border
- Many nationalities (including US, Canada, UK, Australia and EU ordinary passports) can visit without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; check your own country's entry on the MFA list.
- Your passport must remain valid for at least 60 days beyond the end of your permitted stay; the ministry advises six months from arrival.
- The e-Visa covers tourism and commerce only; work and study visas come from Turkish missions abroad.
- No residence permit is needed for stays of up to 90 days on a valid visa or exemption.
- Some nationals (for example Indian ordinary passport holders) qualify for a one-month e-Visa only if they hold a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit.
Recent changes
- January 2026: ordinary passport holders of the People's Republic of China became visa-exempt for up to 90 days in 180 days (effective 2 January 2026).
- January 2026: the MFA notes that border-gate visa issuance for Greek Cypriot Administration passport holders ended on 2 January 2026.
Official source: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Visa information for foreigners · Not yet confirmed officially: evisa.fee: exact amount per nationality (portal is a script-driven app; amount only shown during application), evisa.validity: exact validity period in days (commonly cited as 180 days, not confirmed on the portal text), evisa.stay: full list of 30-day vs 90-day stay allowances by nationality, evisa.processing: stated processing time, consularVisa.fee
What South Africa passport holders need to do
- Apply on the destination's official e-Visa portal.
- Upload a passport scan and a photo, then pay the fee online.
- Save or print the approved e-Visa and present it at the border.
South Africa is one of 8 passports in the “e-visa” group for Turkey. See the full Turkey visa requirements for every passport.
Easier alternatives in Asia for South Africa passport holders
Turkey is one of 29 destinations in the “e-visa” group for the South Africa passport, which ranks #43 worldwide with a mobility score of 98. Of 50 destinations in Asia, 26 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.
| Destination | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
 Georgia | Visa-free | 360 days |
 Hong Kong | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Israel | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Macau | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Malaysia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Palestine | Visa-free | – |
 Philippines | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Singapore | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Thailand | Visa-free | 60 days |
 Armenia | Visa on arrival | – |
 Cambodia | Visa on arrival | – |
 Indonesia | Visa on arrival | – |
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Turkey?
South Africa passport holders need a visa for Turkey, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa.
Can South African citizens apply for Turkey visa online?
Yes. South Africa passport holders are eligible for an e-Visa to Turkey, so the application can be completed online without visiting an embassy.
Do Turkey citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Turkey passport holders can enter South Africa without a visa for up to 30 days.
Turkey 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 Turkey before you book.