Embassy
Embassy of Yemen in South Africa
329 Main Street
Yemen visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need a visa for Yemen, from its embassy or consulate.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
YEM
Yemen
Visa needed
For tourists with advance approval through a travel agency in Yemen.
- Visa
- Required
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Check your passport stamps
Visa or entry may be refused if the passport contains an Israeli stamp or if the holder was born in Israel (see Israeli stamps).
What to do
Find Yemen's embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
Book an appointment early; processing can take several weeks.
Get your Yemen visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Yemen
Tourists need approval through a travel agency in Yemen.
eVisaOnline visa applicationAn online service for people who meet their chosen visa route's rules.
- Fee
- Fee depends on visa route
- Processing
- 3–5 days
How to apply
- Choose your visa route and fill in the form.
- Upload your papers and follow payment steps.
- Check the result and print any approval notice.
- Follow instructions to get your visa sticker.
- Allow 3–5 working days after all papers arrive; this is an estimate.
- Approval is still needed; your route sets where you get the visa sticker.
Visa on arrivalApproved border visaFor urgent arrivals or people without a Yemeni embassy or consulate at home.
How to apply
- Send your host's paper and travel port details.
- Get approval for your arrival port before travel.
- Collect your visa at the approved border port.
Documents required
- Host document
- Passport valid 6 months
- Passport details page
- Certified health certificate
- Departure and arrival port details
- Your approved arrival port must be told before you travel.
- The guide does not confirm a border visa without advance approval.
Visa on arrivalUrgent tourist visaFor tourists whose approved travel agency gets permission before they travel.
- Fee
- Urgent entry fee; amount not stated
How to apply
- Ask your approved agency to send the request.
- Get approval before travel.
- Collect your visa at the border.
Documents required
- Tourism authority letter
- Approved agency request
- Trip plan
- Return tickets
- Passport valid 6 months
- Certified health certificate
- Written promise to leave
- Tourist groups with more than 10 people get a 50% fee cut.
- There is no promised processing time for this urgent route.
Visa requiredTourist visaFor tourists with advance approval through a travel agency in Yemen.
How to apply
- Ask a travel agency in Yemen to get approval.
- Send your approval and papers to the embassy.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months
- Return ticket
- Hotel booking
- Check whether the embassy can issue your visa.
Sources (10)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Immigration, Passports and Nationality Authority — Official visa portal and route requirements
- Official Yemen visa portal — FAQ; some passages contain unrelated institutional references
- Foreign ministry — Official electronic visa launch, 24 June 2025
- Foreign ministry — Entry procedures; password protected when checked
- Yemen Embassy in Washington — Visa Service
- Yemen Embassy in London — Visa requirements, Arabic page
- Yemen Embassy in London — FAQ
- Yemen Embassy in Brussels — Visas
- Yemen Embassy in Cairo — Visas
- India Ministry of External Affairs — Official Yemen embassy contact
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs A D GAdapter needed
- MoneyYER ﷼
- Time+1h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageArabic
- Emergency194 police191 ambulance
Planning your Yemen trip
- Sana'a and Wadi DharSana'a's old city has tall historic houses and World Heritage status. Nearby Wadi Dhar has Dar al-Hadschar Palace, also called the rock house.
- SocotraThis island has white beaches, turquoise seas and many species found nowhere else. Government warnings against travel also include Socotra.
- KawkabanThis high fortress town has old buildings, ancient inscriptions and views across a plain of mud-brick towns.
- Ma'ribThe former capital of the Sabaean Kingdom has a famous ancient dam, temples and historic remains.
Scams to watch for in Yemen
- Unregistered tours that leave out paid servicesUnregistered operators sell tours but may provide poor service, misleading information or only part of what you paid for. The Ministry of Tourism cannot help with problems involving an unregistered operator or service provider.
- Taxi fare inflated after the journeyA driver quotes a high fare or charges a high price after arrival if you did not agree on the fare first. Bargaining is expected. In Sana'a, an opening quote can often fall by about a third after bargaining.
- Inflated opening prices for touristsSellers may begin with a high tourist price. Bargaining is expected and usually brings a discount. Guides sometimes ask for the "Yemeni price". A high opening price is not proof of fraud, but accepting it immediately may mean paying more than necessary.
About Yemen
Yemen is a republic at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, on the Red and Arabian seas.
- Capital
- Sana'a
- Money
- Yemeni rial (﷼)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Time zone
- UTC+03:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +967
Other Africa passports
Going to Yemen
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Yemen with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Yemen?
South African citizens need a visa for Yemen, from its embassy or consulate.
Where do I apply for a Yemen visa?
At Yemen's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Book an appointment early, as it can take several weeks.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter Yemen?
We have no record of Yemen relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Can I enter Yemen with Israeli stamps in my passport?
Visa or entry may be refused if the passport contains an Israeli stamp or if the holder was born in Israel (see Israeli stamps).
Do yemeni citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Yemeni citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to South Africa.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Yemen?
Algeria and Egypt can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Yemen are easier for south african citizens?
Georgia, Oman, Palestine, Qatar Armenia, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Yemen?
Find Yemen's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
What money is used in Yemen?
Yemeni rial (﷼). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Yemen?
Arabic.
Reviewed by @snuck