Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need an eVisa for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Apply on the official website.
ZAF
South Africa
SHN
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
eVisa
Apply online before a holiday or visit to friends or family.
- Visa
- eVisa
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- £40
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Apply on Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo.
Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
Enter on the dates and through the ports the eVisa allows.
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Ways into Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Choose your island. Each needs its own approval.
eVisaAscension visitor eVisaApply online before a holiday or visit to friends or family.
- Fee
- £40
- Processing
- 42 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Check nationality rules and visit limits on the portal.
- Apply online for each person.
- Add your photo, stay details and insurance.
- Pay and save the emailed approval.
Documents required
- Passport details
- Face photo
- Confirmed place to stay
- Return ticket
- Medical insurance
- Proof of enough money
- Hotel booking
- Travel insurance
- Processing targets: 90% within 21 days; all within 42; fast track 14 days.
- Your visa covers approved dates and ends when you leave.
Other routeSt Helena visit permitA permit given on arrival for visits of up to 183 days.
- Stay
- 183 days
- Fee
- £20
How to apply
- Check whether you need an eVisa before travel.
- Book your stay and return travel.
- Arrange medical insurance and proof of funds.
- Show your papers on arrival and pay.
Documents required
- Passport
- Arrival and return travel proof
- Booked place to stay
- Proof of enough money
- Medical insurance proof in English
- eVisa if needed
- Hotel booking
- Passport rules differ across official pages; check with Immigration before travel.
- This arrival permit is separate from any eVisa needed before travel.
Other routeTristan visit approvalGet approval before travel, then permission to land when you arrive.
- Fee
- Cruise: 30 GBP; yacht: 15 GBP
How to apply
- Email your visit plan to tdcenquiries@tdc-gov.com.
- Include names, nationality, age, purpose, dates and travel plans.
- Get approval and book paid return travel and insurance.
- Show your passport on arrival and pay landing charges.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Fully paid return passage
- Medical insurance covering Cape Town evacuation
- Proof of enough money
- Police certificate if asked
- Hotel booking
- Travel insurance
- Your stay lasts as long as approved; Tristan has no airport.
- Check your passenger charge; cruise passengers must sign a form before landing.
Sources (29)Last updated 11 November 2026
- St Helena Government: Entry requirements
- St Helena Government: Immigration
- St Helena Government: Short Term Entry Permit
- St Helena Government: Work Permits
- St Helena Government: Working Migrant assessment
- St Helena official e-visa portal
- St Helena official visa eligibility checker
- St Helena official e-visa questions and requirements
- St Helena official e-visa application
- St Helena Airport: Immigration requirements
- Ascension Government official e-visa portal: Requirements and categories
- Ascension Government: Updated entry visa fees for 2026
- Ascension Government: Visitor application help sheet
- Ascension Government: Business application help sheet
- Ascension Government: Contractor application help sheet
- Ascension Government: Employment application help sheet
- Ascension Government: Employment dependant application help sheet
- Ascension Government: Scientific/Research application help sheet
- Tristan Government: Visiting Tristan
- Tristan Government: Organising a visit
- Tristan Government: Visitor conditions and charges
- Tristan Government: Special Project permission
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Entry requirements; guidance scoped to British citizen passports
- UK Visas and Immigration: Overseas territory applications no longer accepted
- St Helena Government: 2026 immigration reforms and implementation
- St Helena Immigration Amendment Ordinance 2026
- St Helena Government: Official Gazette
- Ascension Entry Control Amendment Ordinance 2026
- Ascension 2026 amendment: Commencement-date rectification
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs GAdapter needed
- MoneyGBP £
- Time−2h
- DrivingOn the leftSame as home
- LanguageEnglishSpoken at home too
About Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is a British territory in the South Atlantic.
- Capital
- Jamestown
- Money
- British pound (£), Saint Helena pound (£)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC+00:00
- Cars drive on the
- left side
- Calling code
- +290
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Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
South African citizens need an eVisa for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Apply on the official website.
How long can south african citizens stay in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
Up to 90 days each visit with the evisa rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Where do I apply online for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
Only on Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha's official government website. Avoid agents and look-alike sites that add fees. Apply before you book anything you can't cancel.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
We have no record of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
None of the 10 other Africa passports we compared enter without applying first.
Which countries near Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are easier for south african citizens?
Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
Apply on Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo. Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
What money is used in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
British pound (£) and Saint Helena pound (£). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?
English.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck