South Africa passport ranking 2026
The South Africa passport ranks #56 of 108 positions. Holders can enter 101 of 250 destinations without arranging a visa in advance, and 33 more with an online e-visa.
KROSZ PASSPORT INDEX · UPDATED 17 OCT 2026Where the South Africa passport gets you
All 250 destinations, by what you need to enter.
What this means for a real trip
Pick any 10 destinations: on average about 4 let South Africa passport holders in without an advance visa, about 1 take an online e-visa, and about 5 need an embassy or visa-centre application (or do not admit holders).
Compared with the world's top passport (Singapore, 206 destinations), the South Africa passport reaches 105 fewer destinations without an advance visa.
How it compares
Destinations reachable without an advance visa.
Mobility score: 600 / 1000
A composite of five parts. Higher is better.
How many destinations the passport opens and how easily (visa-free counts most, then visa on arrival, eTA and e-visa).
How widely that access is spread across continents.
How many of the reachable destinations are large travel and business economies.
Whether access has been improving or narrowing recently.
How open the passport country is to visitors in return.
Travelling to India on a South Africa passport
South Africa citizens visiting India need an Indian visa or e-Visa unless they hold OCI. See the dedicated guide for documents, fees and how to apply.
India visa for South Africa citizens · India vs South Africa passport
Passports ranked nearby
Strongest passports in Africa
Frequently asked questions
What is the South Africa passport ranking in 2026?
#56 out of 108 positions on the Krosz Passport Index (199 passports). Holders can reach 101 destinations without arranging a visa in advance: 72 visa-free, 25 with visa on arrival and 4 with an eTA.
How many countries can South Africa passport holders visit visa-free?
72 destinations are fully visa-free. Add visa on arrival and eTA and the total without an advance visa is 101. Another 33 destinations offer an online e-visa.
Is the South Africa passport stronger than average?
The world average is 113 destinations without an advance visa; the South Africa passport has 101 (12 below average). The average for Africa is 62.
How many destinations need a visa in advance?
115 destinations need a visa before travel (embassy or visa centre), and 1 do not admit holders at all.
How does the South Africa passport compare with the Indian passport?
India ranks #86 with 56 destinations without an advance visa; South Africa ranks #56 with 101. South Africa reaches 45 more.
How is the ranking calculated?
Passports are ranked by the number of destinations reachable without an advance visa (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). Passports with the same number share a rank. The mobility score out of 1000 is a separate composite of access, diversity, economic reach, trend and reciprocity. Data updated 17 Oct 2026.