Get the Thailand visa for South African citizens

Q: Do South African citizens need a visa for Thailand?

No, South Africa citizens do not need a visa for short stays in Thailand for tourism or business purposes . However, they must complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before traveling.

Q: Can South African citizens extend their stay in Thailand?

Yes, visa-exempt stays can be extended by 30 days at a Thai immigration office for South African travelers.

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Thailand visa requirements for South African citizens

South African citizens don’t need a visa to visit Thailand for stays up to 30 days for tourism, business, or visiting family. However, they must have a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before traveling.

iVisa offers one Thailand entry document for South African citizens:

Thailand Arrival Card: South African citizens entering Thailand must complete the arrival card online, which replaces the previous paper TM6 form. It is mandatory for travelers arriving by air, land, or sea.

General Thailand entry requirements for South African travelers are:

An South Africa passport valid for 6 months from arrival
Completed TDAC
Proof of onward/return travel
Additional documents may be required depending on the purpose of travel

Thailand visa cost for South African citizens

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Prices starting from ZAR 1,179.99

Valid for 1 month after issued

Single entry

Stay up to 30 days per entry

Get it as fast as 15 minutes

Fast facts

Interview needed?

When to apply?

Within 72 hours before arrival for the TDAC

Documents required upon arrival?

Valid South Africa passport (valid 6+months), Thailand Arrival Card, proof of return/onward travel, proof of enough funds for entire trip (sometimes requested)

How to apply for a Thailand visa with iVisa

Complete your online application

Answer a few simple questions, determine whether you need a Thailand Tourist Visa, Thailand Arrival Card, or another Thai visa or document, pay securely, and upload your documents. You can save your progress and come back anytime.

We'll guide you through any unclear questions during the application process.

We review your application

The Thailand visa system can be complicated for South African citizens, but don't worry – we review your whole application to catch anything that might cause delays.

We submit it for government processing

We're not the Thai government, but we review your application for accuracy and submit it directly to them. If anything goes wrong, we're here 24/7 to help resolve it – no long wait times, no confusing forms, just expert support from start to finish.

Get your Thailand visa

We'll email your approved Thailand document and let you know how to use it for your trip from South Africa to Thailand.

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Why South African citizens choose iVisa

Benefit	Applying by yourself	iVisa
Simple, easy forms	Not included	Included
24x7 support from visa experts	Not included	Included
Error detection to prevent rejections	Not included	Included
World's easiest passport scan	Not included	Included
Multiple payment methods	Not included	Included

1.4M happy customers

24/7customer support

70,000+ reviews

10 years of experience

98% visa approval rate

Verified Thailand visa reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 by travelers to Thailand.

4.7 out of 5

Douglas Godleman

September 22, 2025

"Glad I found them as I would have been lost with out Ivisa, so helpful I will use them again in time"
Claudia

July 2, 2025

"Quick & easy, also for internationals …. Quick response"
Heidi Cooper

July 3, 2025

"Very easy. Great customer support."
Leon Lubanda

August 1, 2025

"Easy and fast to use and process"
Peter Coogan

August 30, 2025

"Easy to gain my visa"
Fabricio Santa Clara Gaia

July 1, 2025

"Simple and practical"
Richen Sonam

September 16, 2025

"It is easy to use"
Monica

October 30, 2025

"Very easy to use"
Maria s caceres

October 8, 2025

"Great service"
Pete

April 7, 2026

"Easily done"

See all 21 reviews

Thailand visa FAQs

What South African travelers commonly ask about Thailand visas

Do South African citizens need a visa for Thailand?

No, South Africa citizens do not need a visa for short stays in Thailand for tourism or business purposes. However, they must complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before traveling.