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Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do Nigeria citizens need a visa for South Africa?

e-Visa / ETA

Nigeria citizens need an e-Visa or ETA to enter South Africa — applied for online before departure.

Get a South Africa visa → South Africa → Nigeria
VISAXSAug 2026
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e-Visa / ETA
Nigeria → South Africa
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Everything for your trip to South Africa

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Hotels

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Nigeria vs South Africa: passport comparison

Nigeria

26

visa-free countries

Global rank: #181 · mobility 70.5

South Africa

61

visa-free countries

Global rank: #97 · mobility 111.5
14

countries both Nigeria and South Africa can enter visa-free together

Nigeria + South Africa: passport compatibility

58%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Nigeria and South Africa travel together — by entry type:

14 both visa-free
13 both visa on arrival
22 both e-visa / eTA
66 both need a visa
82 access differs

Where Nigeria and South Africa can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

✓ Both visa-free (14)

Sort by max stay or the destination's passport strength (tap a header), and filter by region.

Country Max stay Passport rank
Barbados180 days#48 Benin90 days#146 Dominica180 days#70 Fiji120 days#103 Gambia90 days#132 Ghana90 days#130 Haiti90 days#175 Kiribati90 days#84 Micronesia30 days#89 Rwanda30 days#143 Saint Kitts and Nevis90 days#54 Seychelles90 days#58 Togo30 days#155 Vanuatu120 days#105

Only Nigeria is visa-free (12)

Burkina FasoCameroonCape VerdeChadGuineaGuinea-BissauIvory CoastLiberiaMaliNigerSenegalSierra Leone

Only South Africa is visa-free (47)

AngolaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaBahamasBelizeBotswanaBrazilChileCosta RicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEl SalvadorGabonGeorgiaGrenadaGuatemalaGuyanaHondurasHong KongIsraelJamaicaLesothoMacaoMalawiMalaysiaMauritiusMozambiqueNamibiaNicaraguaPalestinePanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesRussiaSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSingaporeSwazilandTanzaniaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaUruguayVenezuelaZambiaZimbabwe

South Africa: good to know

Pretoria

Capital

South African Rand (ZAR)

Currency

South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2)

Time zone

+27

Calling code

C, D, M, N

Power plug

230V / 50Hz

Voltage

Left-hand

Driving side

Where else Nigeria goes visa-free

→ BarbadosVisa-free · 180 days → → BeninVisa-free · 90 days → → Burkina FasoVisa-free · 90 days → → CameroonVisa-free · 90 days → → Cape VerdeVisa-free · 90 days → → ChadVisa-free · 90 days → → DominicaVisa-free · 180 days → → FijiVisa-free · 120 days → → GambiaVisa-free · 90 days →
Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for South Africa

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

e-Visa / eTA

Applied for online before you fly

Frequently asked

Do Nigeria citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Nigeria citizens need an e-Visa or ETA to enter South Africa — applied for online before departure.
Which passport is stronger — Nigeria or South Africa?
The South Africa passport is stronger: 61 visa-free countries versus 26. Global rank: Nigeria #181, South Africa #97.
Where can Nigeria and South Africa citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 14 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for South Africa?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus an e-Visa or eTA applied for online before you fly. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Nigeria and South Africa?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Nigeria passport ranking

Where else the Nigeria passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport →