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Do South African citizens need a visa for the Philippines?
South Africa 
Philippines South Africa passport holders can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days.
No visa needed
- Entry requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Apply before travel
- No
- Last updated
- February 2026
Before you travel
Checked November 2026At the border
- Passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the planned stay (and e-passports or machine-readable passports only for visa applications).
- Nationals of about 150 listed countries (incl. US, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, Korea) may enter visa-free for an initial 30 days; Brazil and Israel get 59 days.
- Visa-free visitors need a return ticket or an onward ticket to the next destination.
- Tourist visa applicants should show flight bookings, proof of funds (e.g. 6 months of bank statements), ties to home, itinerary and accommodation.
- All arriving travellers register on the free eTravel system (etravel.gov.ph or the eGovPH app).
Recent changes
- June 2025: from 8 June 2025, Indian nationals may enter visa-free for 14 days (non-extendable), or 30 days if they hold a valid US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa or residence permit.
- January 2026: from 16 January 2026, Chinese nationals may enter visa-free for 14 days (non-extendable) through NAIA Manila or Mactan-Cebu only, with hotel booking and onward ticket.
Official source: Department of Foreign Affairs (Office of Consular Affairs) / Bureau of Immigration - eVisaPH portal · Not yet confirmed officially: evisa.fee and evisa.processing time, eTravel submission window (commonly cited as within 72 hours before arrival) not confirmed on the official site, scamWarning: none found on the pages read
What South Africa passport holders need to do
- Check your passport validity. Many countries ask for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
- Be ready to show a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and proof of funds at the border.
- Leave before the permitted stay ends. Working or studying usually needs a different visa.
South Africa is one of 161 passports in the “visa-free” group for the Philippines. See the full Philippines visa requirements for every passport.
Other easy destinations in Asia for South Africa passport holders
The Philippines is one of 60 destinations in the “visa-free” 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 the Philippines?
South Africa passport holders can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days.
How long can South Africa passport holders stay in the Philippines?
Up to 30 days without a visa.
Do Philippines citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Philippines passport holders need a visa for South Africa, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa.
Philippines 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 the Philippines before you book.