SOUTH AFRICA: Reciprocal Waiver Agreement Implemented with Russia

April 7, 2017


On 31st March, the Department of Home Affairs implemented a reciprocal agreement with Russia with regard to Port of Entry visas.

This agreement means that any Russian passport holder travelling to South Africa for general business, leisure and family visits can now do so without having to apply for a Port of Entry visa in advance of their travel date.

Instead, they will be issued with a Visitor’s visa on arrival into South Africa, which will be valid for a maximum of 90 days.

Russia will reciprocate this exemption by waiving the visa requirement for South African passport holders travelling into Russia under the same travel purposes.

Work and Study

Please be advised that any Russian national visiting South Africa to conduct short –term work or study is not covered by this exemption, and will still be required to apply for a Port of Entry visa with authorisation to conduct work prior to travelling. Anyone meeting these criteria should apply at the South African Embassy in Moscow, Russia. If a Russian citizen is resident in another country, they must apply at the South African Diplomatic Mission that has jurisdiction over their country of residence.

Our advice

Russian nationals visiting South Africa for business and leisure purposes for a duration of up to 90 days are not required to apply for a Port of Entry visa prior to their visit. Equally, South African nationals visiting Russia are not required to apply for a visa prior to their visit.

For further advice and information on the above topic, please email us at [email protected].