South Africa Visa for Chinese citizens

If you are travelling on a Chinese passport, South Africa is reachable with an online eVisa instead of an embassy appointment. Chinese travellers can complete the whole South Africa application from home and receive the approval by email.

Can Chinese citizens get a South Africa eVisa?

South Africa grants online eligibility to Chinese citizens across 2 visa options such as Tourist Evisa (Single Entry for 90 days), Business Evisa (Single Entry for 90 days). South Africa currently supports Single Entry, with a permitted stay of 30 days. Government fees start at US$66.00. Standard processing is typically 3 working days. Faster handling can sometimes be arranged on request — around 1 working day has been possible — but it is not guaranteed.

Documents and tips for Chinese travellers

Chinese passports generally need at least six months of validity and blank pages; verify both, as these are common refusal triggers. Fees are charged in US dollars; Chinese applicants should use a card enabled for international payments, as domestic-only cards may be declined. The most common avoidable mistake for Chinese citizens: using a payment method that is not enabled for international transactions, which interrupts the application midway.

• Enter your name in Latin letters exactly as printed in your Chinese passport.
• Ensure your payment card works for international USD transactions before you start.
• Have your itinerary and accommodation details ready, as additional evidence is more commonly requested.

Next steps

Visa rules can change. Confirm details with official South Africa immigration authorities close to your travel date.