Do Burmese passport holders need a tourist visa for South Africa?

Embassy visa required. Apply: https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services

How much does a South Africa tourist visa cost?

Cost varies. Check the official source linked on this page for current fees.

How long does it take to get a South Africa tourist visa?

Processing time varies. Apply well in advance of your planned travel.

Stunning view of Htilominlo Temple in Bagan, Myanmar, amid lush greenery and cloudy skies.

Stunning aerial view of Cape Town cityscape with Table Mountain in the background at daytime.

Photos: Phat Nguy, Adrien Olichon · Pexels

Can a Burmese traveller visit South Africa?

Tourism visa requirements · See all destinations for Burmese travellers

Caution

Myanmar passport: post-coup restrictions on consular services + Western scrutiny

Following the February 2021 military coup, Myanmar passport renewals have been disrupted; many international missions have raised the bar for visa applications. The US, EU, UK, Canada, and Australia apply targeted sanctions to coup leaders but routine visa processing for ordinary Myanmar nationals continues with longer scrutiny windows.

1 additional warning is folded into the result card below.

Most Burmese travellers apply at the embassy or visa application centre before they travel when heading to South Africa for tourism.

There's a moderate amount of paperwork — approval depends heavily on the documents and circumstances you can show.

Straight from dha.gov.za.

Approval realism5/10 — Uncertain

Visa rules are not the whole story — approval depends heavily on the documents and circumstances you can show.

Myanmar passport: post-coup restrictions on consular services + Western scrutiny

Embassy visaTourism

Embassy visa required

Max stay: —
Processing: —
Fee: —

Apply on official sitedha.gov.za

Difficulty5/10·Realism5/10

Why? ▾

Difficulty

Moderate paperwork

5/10

Some paperwork and processing time. Start a few weeks ahead.

Why this score?

—Embassy/consulate visa application
-0.5Biometrics appointment required

Approval realism

Approval depends on you

5/10

Approval depends heavily on the documents and circumstances you can show. Read the warning above — it points to what tends to move the needle.

What drives this score?

—Embassy visa applications generally succeed when documentation is complete and ties to home are clear
-2Myanmar passport — Myanmar passport: post-coup restrictions on consular services + Western scrutiny

Step-by-step checklist

Your application checklist

1
Check your passport validity
60+ days before
Most countries require 6+ months of validity beyond your travel dates and at least one blank page. If it's close, renew before applying.
2
Gather supporting documents
45+ days before
You'll need: Valid passport; Application submitted in person to the destination's embassy / consulate; Supporting documents (varies by destination).
3
Book a biometrics appointment (embassy or VFS centre)
21+ days before
Biometrics centres often have 1–3 week waitlists. Book the slot the moment your application is submitted, not after.
4
Submit the application to the embassy or consulate
30+ days before
In person at the consulate with jurisdiction over your residence. Bring originals + photocopies of every document. Most consulates require a prior appointment.
5
Track the application; print the approval
7+ days before
Print or save a clear PDF of the approved visa. Airlines check this at check-in.
6
On the day of travel
day of travel
Carry: passport (printed visa if applicable), onward ticket, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, travel insurance. Border officers retain discretion regardless of visa status.

Show full requirements, fees, and source

Passport valid 6+ monthsBiometrics (embassy or VFS centre)

What you need

Valid passport
Application submitted in person to the destination's embassy / consulate
Supporting documents (varies by destination)

View primary source (dha.gov.za) →

What you'll need

Tourism visa for South Africa

Specific to Burmese passport holders.

Start ~0–8 weeks before your intended travel date.

Order these first — they have the longest lead time

Valid passport
Identity2–8 weeks
Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your departure date, with two or more blank pages.
How: Renew via your own country's passport office if expiring within 12 months.

Then gather these

Recent bank statements
Financial1–5 days
Usually 3–6 months of statements showing you can support yourself during the trip. Required for most embassy-issued tourist visas.
How: Download PDFs from your bank's online portal. Some consulates require originals stamped by the bank.
Passport-style photograph
Identity1–3 days
A recent biometric photo to the destination's specifications. Most consulates require their own dimensions, not your home country's.
How: Any high-street photo studio, or app-based services that meet ICAO 9303 spec.
Online visa application form
Application1–3 days
The destination's online form (DS-160 for US, gov.uk for UK, IRCC portal for Canada, ImmiAccount for Australia, e-Visa portal for most others).
How: Apply directly on the destination government website — never via a third-party paid service.
Proof of accommodation
Purpose evidence1–3 days
Hotel bookings, an AirBnB reservation, or an invitation letter from a host covering the dates of your stay.
How: Book refundable hotels (Booking.com Free Cancellation), or get a notarised invitation letter from your host.
Application fee payment
Application1 day
Payable to the destination government directly. Fees range from ~$25 (e-Visas) to $2,500+ (US EB-1).
How: Card payment on the destination's portal. Receipt required for the application.
Onward or return ticket
Purpose evidence1 day
Proof you intend to leave the country before your permitted stay expires. Most short-stay visas and visa-free entries require this.
How: Book a refundable flight or use a 24-hour hold from an OTA. Border officers can check the booking.
Travel medical insurance
Financial1 day
Schengen and many other tourist visas require €30,000 / $50,000 minimum medical cover for the duration of your stay.
How: Buy from SafetyWing, World Nomads, Allianz, or any insurer that issues a Schengen-compliant certificate.

Sources & references

Every link below is a primary government source. We aggregate; the source is the authority. If anything on this page disagrees with a link below, the link wins.

Where this page's data came from

Embassy visa requireddha.gov.za

Your country's foreign-affairs ministry

Myanmar eVisa (MOIP)evisa.moip.gov.mm

Independent travel advisories

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Where can Burmese passport holders go?

Other passports visiting South Africa

Who needs a visa for South Africa?

Informational only. A valid visa permits entry subject to officer discretion at the border. Always verify with the destination's embassy or official source before travel, employment, or relocation.