🇿🇦 South Africa visa requirements for Latvian citizens
Yes — Latvian citizens need a visa to enter South Africa, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
Entry rules for Latvia passport holders
Latvian citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to South Africa. Applications generally go through a South Africa embassy or consulate and require a completed form, passport photos, proof of accommodation and onward travel, and sometimes travel insurance. Start the process several weeks before your planned trip, as processing times vary.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official South Africa immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The Latvian passport ranks #32 worldwide, opening 159 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (118 visa-free, 34 with a visa on arrival and 7 with an eTA). South Africa is not among them — it is one of the 18 destinations that still require an embassy visa or an application before departure.
The arrangement is reciprocal: South African citizens traveling to Latvia face the same requirement (visa required).
Across Southern Africa as a whole, 4 of 6 destinations are open to Latvian travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About South Africa
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Currency
- South African rand (R)
- Languages
- Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele
Planning a trip to South Africa?
- Compare flights →
- Tours and activities →
- Airport transfers →
- Claim flight compensation →
- Rent a car locally →
- City attraction passes →
Some links above are affiliate links — booking through them supports this site at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do Latvian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Yes — Latvian citizens need a visa to enter South Africa, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
What currency is used in South Africa?
The currency in South Africa is the South African rand (R). The capital city is Pretoria.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa required for Latvian citizens traveling to South Africa. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the South Africa embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Africa for Latvian passport holders
Going the other way? Latvia visa requirements for South African citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.