South African Passport Drops to 86th in Global Mobility Rankings
The South African passport has dropped seven places to 86th on the global index, granting holders visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorization access to 108 destinations. The latest data from Passport Reports evaluates 199 countries and shows South Africa holding a Mobility Score of 108, down from 110 in 2025 when the country ranked 79th.
The decline reflects shifting international entry requirements and places the passport slightly above the global average while restricting access to 54.4% of global destinations through simplified entry arrangements. Passport Reports records that South Africa’s total access across the African continent stands at 71.7% when combining visa-free, simplified-entry, and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) options.
South African Passport Provides Various Entry Options
The 86th global position combines 59 visa-free destinations, 42 destinations available on a visa-on-arrival basis, and 7 destinations requiring an Electronic Travel Authorisation. Passport Reports noted that 90 countries still require South African citizens to obtain a visa before travelling.
Passport Reports ranks passports using a specific Mobility Score hierarchy. If two passports share an identical Mobility Score, the index compares the number of visa-free destinations, followed by ETAs, and finally visas on arrival or simplified entry categories.
+————————–+———————————+
| Entry Category | Number of Destinations |
+————————–+———————————+
| Visa-free | 59 |
| Visa-on-arrival | 42 |
| Electronic Travel Auth. | 7 |
| Traditional Visa Required| 90 |
+————————–+———————————+
The data shows wide variations in permitted lengths of stay across allowed destinations. South African passport holders can stay for up to 360 days in Georgia, 180 days in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Peru, and up to 90 days in numerous other countries.
South Africa Ranks Third Among African Passports
Within Africa, South Africa ranks third out of 54 passports and African Union member states. On a broader international scale, the country ranks fourth among the 11 BRICS nations, 15th out of the 19 G20 countries, 26th among the 56 Commonwealth countries, and 38th among the 132 G77 countries.
Travel access differs sharply by region. South African citizens enjoy visa-free entry to 87% of North and Central America, including Caribbean nations like the Bahamas, while key exceptions include the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In Europe, the passport provides a 2.1% visa-free access rate, with Russia standing out as the only country that doesn’t ask for a visa.
Several Countries Require Mandatory Pre-Travel Registration
Entering countries without a traditional visa often involves completing mandatory pre-travel administrative steps. The report lists Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand as requiring arrival cards, while Côte d’Ivoire enforces pre-registration.
Seychelles requires tourist registration, and travellers heading to Cabo Verde must complete the EASE procedure. EASE stands for Efficient, Automatic, and Safe Entry of Travellers, which serves as an online electronic pre-registration platform for entering Cape Verde (Cabo Verde).
Inbound travel to South Africa carries a separate metric. On the welcoming measure for foreign nationals entering the country, South Africa ranks 92nd out of 199 countries evaluated by Passport Reports.
Related reading