South Africa 
China
South Africa passport holders need a visa for China, issued by an embassy or consulate before travel.
Source: Department of Consular Affairs, MFA of China — FAQs on visa-free entry into China · checked 13 Oct 2026
China visa options for South Africa citizensFee and processing time not published — confirm with the embassy or consulate before you apply.
Official application site →South Africa citizens need a visa issued in advance by an embassy or consulate of China. Start the application several weeks before departure: you will typically need a passport valid for six months with blank pages, a completed application form, passport photos, a travel itinerary, proof of accommodation and of sufficient funds, and sometimes an invitation letter or bank statements.
The main option is the Tourist Visa (L).
Whatever your visa status, China applies the same entry conditions to every traveller:
China lets 78 passports in without a visa and requires an embassy visa from 120. South Africa citizens are treated the same way as Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana and Burkina Faso. Overall the South Africa passport ranks #96 in the world with 61 visa-free destinations.
Planning a longer trip in Asia? With a South Africa passport you can also visit 8 countries in the region without a visa, including Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore and Thailand.
In the other direction, China citizens need a visa to visit South Africa.
Entry requirements for ChinaThe Chinese Embassy in the US says visa applicants' passports must have more than 6 months of remaining validity and at least 2 blank visa pages. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says visa-free entrants need an ordinary passport valid for at least the duration of their intended stay in China.
Department of Consular Affairs, MFA of China — FAQs on visa-free entry into China✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026
Your passport needs at least 2 blank pages.
Embassy of China in the US — Requirements and Procedures for Chinese Visa Application (updated September 2025)✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026
WHO's country list says China requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and from travellers who transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of such a country.
WHO — International Travel and Health country list: vaccination requirements (China)✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026
No official source we could read states a travel-insurance requirement for China. The UK Foreign Office says healthcare is not free in China and can be very expensive, and to make sure you have appropriate travel and medical insurance covering healthcare and medical evacuation and repatriation.
UK FCDO — China travel advice: health✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026
China's National Immigration Administration says visa-free transit passengers need an onward ticket with a confirmed date and itinerary to a third country or region. For visa-free visitors, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends taking documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation reservations as proof corresponding to the purpose of entry. Canada's travel advice says to be prepared to show proof of onward travel.
National Immigration Administration — visa-free transit policy (过境免签政策)✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026
No official source we could read states a proof-of-funds requirement or amount. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says visa-free entry is subject to examination and approval by border inspection authorities, and recommends taking documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation reservations as proof corresponding to the purpose of entry.
Department of Consular Affairs, MFA of China — FAQs on visa-free entry into China✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026
Hotels register foreign guests and send the registration data to the local police. A foreigner staying anywhere other than a hotel must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival, in person or through the host. If this is not done, a warning is given and a fine of up to RMB 2,000 may also be imposed. Hotels that fail to send the data are given a warning; in serious cases they are fined RMB 1,000 to 5,000.
National Immigration Administration (China) — Exit and Entry Administration Law of the PRC✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026
A foreigner who resides in China illegally is given a warning. In serious cases the foreigner is fined RMB 500 for each day of illegal residence, up to RMB 10,000 in total, or detained for 5 to 15 days. Repatriated persons may not enter China for one to five years from the date of repatriation.
National Immigration Administration (China) — Exit and Entry Administration Law of the PRC✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026
No official source we could read states China's cash-declaration threshold: the customs page we cite could not be read.
General Administration of Customs of China — Customs Clearance Guide for International Passengers✓ Checked 6 Oct 2026
Data: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset, AXG Sp. z o.o. (CC BY 4.0). Entry rules can change — confirm with official sources before travel.
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