Embassy
Embassy of South Africa, Bissau
Bissau
Avenida Amilcar Cabral
Guinea-Bissau visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens get a visa on arrival in Guinea-Bissau, for up to 90 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
GNB
Guinea-Bissau
Visa on arrival
Get it at the airport or border.
- Visa
- On arrival
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo.
Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
Queue at the visa-on-arrival desk before immigration in Guinea-Bissau.
Ways into Guinea-Bissau
Apply for a visa through an embassy before travel.
Visa requiredTourist embassy visaA visa for a holiday.
Official pageHow to apply
- Ask the embassy if you can apply.
- Check its document list and fees.
- Submit your application as instructed.
Visa required30-day embassy visaAn embassy visa to get before travel.
- Processing
- 4 days
How to apply
- Ask the embassy if you can apply.
- Check its document list.
- Submit your application as instructed.
Official pageDocuments required
- Hotel booking
Visa required90-day embassy visaAn embassy visa to get before travel.
- Processing
- 4 days
How to apply
- Ask the embassy if you can apply.
- Check its document list.
- Submit your application as instructed.
Official pageDocuments required
- Hotel booking
Sources (9)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Guinea-Bissau Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visas; page being updated
- Guinea-Bissau Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Embassy directory
- Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Portugal — Visa application
- Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Lisbon — Visa application form
- Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Russia — Visas; reference date 6 December 2024
- Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Berlin — Visa application notice
- German Federal Foreign Office — Guinea-Bissau; nationality-specific entry guidance
- United States Department of State — Guinea-Bissau travel requirements
- United Kingdom Foreign Office — Guinea-Bissau entry requirements
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C E FAdapter for some
- MoneyXOF Fr
- Time−2h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguagePortuguese
- Emergency112 police
Planning your Guinea-Bissau trip
- Bijagós IslandsA beautiful group of islands with some resorts and wildlife, including turtles and hippos.
- Cantanhez Natural ParkThe forests of Jemberem offer a chance to see chimpanzees.
- Varela BeachOne of the country's notable beaches.
Scams to watch for in Guinea-Bissau
- Airport bribe requestsVarious airport officials ask arriving travellers for bribes. A polite refusal is described as enough to stop further pressure.
- Petty theftPetty crime is a serious country-wide concern. No specific theft technique or pattern of targeting tourists is described.
- Bribe pressure after arrestPeople who are arrested may face pressure to pay a bribe. This is a corruption risk involving officials; there is no detail about staged arrests or fake police.
About Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is a West African republic on the Atlantic, with the Bijagós island archipelago.
- Capital
- Bissau
- Money
- West African CFA franc (Fr)
- Languages
- Portuguese, Upper Guinea Crioulo
- Time zone
- UTC
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +245
Other Africa passports
Going to Guinea-Bissau
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Guinea-Bissau with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Guinea-Bissau?
South African citizens get a visa on arrival in Guinea-Bissau, for up to 90 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in Guinea-Bissau?
Up to 90 days each visit with the visa on arrival rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Can I get the Guinea-Bissau visa at the airport?
Yes. South African citizens get the visa when they land in Guinea-Bissau. Carry cash for the fee, a passport photo, your return ticket and hotel details.
Do guinea-bissauan citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Guinea-Bissauan citizens need a visa for South Africa, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Guinea-Bissau?
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia Ghana, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Guinea-Bissau are easier for south african citizens?
Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Cape Verde Senegal, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Guinea-Bissau?
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo. Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
What money is used in Guinea-Bissau?
West African CFA franc (Fr). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Guinea-Bissau?
Portuguese and Upper Guinea Crioulo.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck