High commission
High Commission of South Africa, Accra
Accra
Plot NR A69, Orphan Crescent, North Labone, Accra
Ghana visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens do not need a visa for Ghana. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
GHA
Ghana
No visa needed
Just show your passport at the border.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Ghana.
Ways into Ghana
Check whether you need a visa or online travel approval.
eTA requiredFree online travel approvalFree online approval lets eligible visitors stay up to 90 days.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check your passport on the official portal.
- Choose Travel Authorization if asked.
- Enter your passport, trip and stay details.
- Upload your passport page and photo; answer the questions.
- Submit, save your reference number and check your email.
Documents required
- Passport details page
- Recent colour passport photo
- Yellow fever vaccine certificate
- Your country and passport type decide whether you can use this route.
- A visa waiver may still require online travel approval.
eVisaTourist eVisaAn online visa for tourists and other allowed visits that are not for business.
- Stay
- 60 days
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- US$260
- Processing
- 4 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Check your passport and create an account.
- Choose B2 and fill in the form.
- Upload your documents.
- Check your answers, submit and pay.
- Check your email and account for the decision.
Documents required
- Passport: 6 months beyond planned departure
- 3 blank passport pages
- Recent colour passport photo
- Return or onward ticket
- Lodging proof for whole trip
- Last 3 months' bank statements
- Or 3 months' credit-card statements
- Private stay: signed host invitation
- Hotel booking
- Yellow fever vaccine
- The border officer sets your stay, up to 60 days; processing time is estimated.
- Priority and Express services are temporarily unavailable.
Visa on arrivalApproved emergency entry visaA sponsor must arrange immigration approval before you travel for this emergency visa.
- Fee
- US$200
How to apply
- Ask your sponsor to write to Ghana's immigration chief.
- Include trip dates, purpose, stay length and lodging details.
- Attach the required documents.
- Get approval before you travel.
- Show your approval and travel documents when you arrive.
Documents required
- Application letter
- Host's passport details page
- Visitor's passport details page
- Personal trip: bank statement
- Personal trip: flight plan
- Personal trip: hotel booking
- Business trip: company start certificate
- Business trip: company registration certificate
- Business applications also need the company code and tax clearance certificate.
- The guide gives no stay limit or promised processing time.
Visa requiredEmbassy visit visaApply through a Ghanaian embassy for a holiday or a private visit.
How to apply
- Open your embassy's official visa application page.
- Fill in and sign the form.
- Submit the documents your embassy asks for.
Documents required
- Yellow fever vaccine certificate
- Passport valid 6 months
- 2 blank pages
- Single-entry and multiple-entry visas are available.
- Fees and document rules depend on where you apply.
Sources (20)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Ghana Immigration Service: visas and exemptions
- Official Ghana eVisa and eligibility portal
- Official eVisa applicant guide
- Official Electronic Travel Authorisation applicant guide
- Official eVisa fees and processing notice
- Foreign ministry: May 2026 eVisa launch and African passport fee waiver
- Foreign ministry waiver table, updated 8 September 2026
- Ghana Embassy, Washington: visa application requirements
- Ghana Embassy, Washington: consular fees
- Ghana High Commission, London: visa application requirements
- Ghana High Commission, New Delhi: official consular-service directory; linked visa detail page could not be read
- Ghana Embassy, The Hague: visa frequently asked questions
- Immigration: transit visa
- Immigration: emergency entry visa
- Immigration: student residence permit
- Immigration: dependant residence permit
- Immigration: re-entry visa
- Immigration: right of abode
- Immigration: fees and charges
- Immigration: revised fees approved under the 2025 schedule
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs D GAdapter needed
- MoneyGHS ₵
- Time−2h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageEnglishSpoken at home too
- Emergency112 police
Scams to watch for in Ghana
- Inflated taxi quotesDrivers often quote foreigners well above the local fare. In Accra, opening quotes can be three times the usual price or more. A driver may also assume you want to hire the whole taxi rather than share it. Most taxis have no meter, so agreeing on the price matters.
- Credit card fraudCredit card fraud is described as very common. The exact ways cards or card details are misused are not specified.
- Targeted extortionPeople suspected to be gay or queer can face targeting and demands for money. The exact threats, methods and people responsible are not specified.
About Ghana
Ghana is a West African republic on the Gulf of Guinea, bordering Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo.
- Capital
- Accra
- Money
- Ghanaian cedi (₵)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +233
Other Africa passports
Going to Ghana
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Ghana with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Ghana?
South African citizens do not need a visa for Ghana. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in Ghana?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do ghanaian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Ghanaian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Ghana?
Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Eswatini, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Ghana are easier for south african citizens?
Benin, Gambia, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau Senegal, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Ghana?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Ghana?
Ghanaian cedi (₵). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Ghana?
English.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck