South Africans can still travel widely in 2026, but the passport has lost some ground

South Africans can still travel widely in 2026, but the passport has lost some ground

For South Africans with itchy feet and an eye on the departure board, there’s good news and a gentle reality check.

In 2026, holders of the South African passport can travel to 101 countries without arranging a visa in advance. That still places the country comfortably in the middle of the global pack. But it also marks a step backwards from last year, when South Africans enjoyed visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 106 destinations.

In short: the passport remains useful, but its reach has narrowed.

What the rankings actually measure

The figures come from the Henley Passport Index, widely regarded as the gold standard for measuring passport power. It ranks 199 passports against 227 destinations, using data from the International Air Transport Authority that’s continuously checked against official government sources.

A country earns a “point” if travellers don’t need a visa before departure, including visa-on-arrival, electronic travel authorities or visitor permits issued at entry. If paperwork must be approved before you board the plane, that destination doesn’t count.

For 2026, South Africa’s passport sits at 48th place globally, between Qatar and Belize.

The five countries South Africans lost access to

The dip in ranking comes down to one simple factor: five destinations that were previously visa-free are no longer on that list.

Those countries are Mauritania and Nigeria in Africa, Pakistan in Asia, Kosovo in Europe, and Palestine in the Middle East.

On social media, the reaction has been mixed. Some travellers expressed frustration, particularly over Nigeria a major regional economy with close business and cultural ties to South Africa. Others noted that visa rules are often reciprocal and influenced by broader diplomatic and security considerations.

Still strong in the places South Africans love to visit

Despite the decline, South Africa’s passport remains relatively powerful across much of the Global South.

Across Africa, South Africans can still travel widely without visas a major advantage for business, family ties and regional tourism. In South America, popular destinations like Brazil, Argentina and Peru remain open, while Thailand, Mauritius and the Maldives continue to be firm favourites for holidaymakers.

Key global hubs such as Singapore, Qatar and Saudi Arabia also remain visa-free, making long-haul travel and international connections easier than many assume.

A diplomatic footnote that raised eyebrows

One detail that has sparked quiet discussion is Israel’s continued visa-free status for South Africans.

This remains unchanged despite South Africa’s 2024 decision to bring a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. It’s a reminder that visa policy doesn’t always move in lockstep with political tensions and that travel access is often shaped as much by long-standing agreements as by current headlines.

How South Africa compares globally

While South Africa sits firmly in the middle tier, it remains far from the world’s strongest passports. Singapore once again tops the index, offering its citizens access to 192 destinations without a prior visa, nearly double South Africa’s total.

That gap highlights a broader truth: passport strength reflects economic stability, diplomatic reach and trust between states, factors that shift slowly, but can be eroded surprisingly fast.

What this means for travellers in 2026

For most South Africans, day-to-day travel plans won’t change dramatically this year. The majority of popular leisure, regional and business destinations remain accessible without complex paperwork.

But the downward trend is worth watching. Losing access to even a handful of countries is a signal that global mobility can’t be taken for granted, especially in a world where borders are becoming more selective, not less.

For now, the green mamba passport still opens doors. Just not quite as many as it did last year.

{Source: Business Tech}

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