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Mozambique Entry for South African Passport Holders

✓ Visa Free — No visa required for your passport
1/5 Difficulty
0–0d Processing

Mozambique's exemption for South Africans is 30 days, not 90

South Africa sits in Mozambique's 30-day exemption band. The 90 days shown here previously belongs to a different group — Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Overstaying a visa-free allowance is a fine and a re-entry problem, so the shorter figure matters. Corrected 10 August 2026.

Last checked August 2026 — rules on this route can change at short notice, so confirm with your airline and the destination's immigration authority before you book or fly.

Quick Facts

Requirement Visa Free
Visa Fee
Processing Time 0–0 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 30 days

Mozambique is South Africa's favourite beach destination — visa-free, just 2 hours from Johannesburg via Komatipoort, with world-class diving, fishing, and seafood. Tofo, Ponto do Ouro, Vilankulo, and the Bazaruto Archipelago are top draws. The ETA introduced in early 2026 was suspended — no pre-travel registration is currently required.

Key Warnings

  • An ETA system was launched in February 2026 but suspended due to technical problems. Monitor mozambiquetravel.com or the evisa.gov.mz portal before travel — the ETA may be reinstated and could become mandatory.
  • Ressano Garcia/Komatipoort is heavily congested. Avoid Friday afternoon, Sunday evening, December 15–January 5, and Easter weekends. A midweek morning crossing is fastest.
  • Comprehensive cross-border vehicle insurance (SADC Yellow Card / Comesa) is mandatory. Roadside vehicle inspections do occur. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential in remote coastal areas.

Insider Tips

  • Maputo is just 90 minutes from Johannesburg via the N4 — ideal for a long weekend. The city has excellent restaurants, a vibrant waterfront, and a colonial-era architecture trail.
  • Vilankulo (Bazaruto Archipelago) and Tofo (whale sharks, manta rays) are bucket-list dive destinations for South Africans. Fly from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Vilankulo (VNX) or Inhambane (INH).
  • USD and ZAR are widely accepted in tourist areas and resorts. Away from tourist zones, Mozambican Metical (MZN) is needed — carry some local currency for fuel and local markets.

Required Documents

  • Valid South African passport (6+ months validity) Must be valid at least 6 months beyond your date of entry.

No visa application is made on this route, so there is no refusal rate. Entry can still be declined at the border.

Latest Updates

2026-08

Mozambique's exemption for South Africans is 30 days, not 90

South Africa sits in Mozambique's 30-day exemption band. The 90 days shown here previously belongs to a different group — Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Overstaying a visa-free allowance is a fine and a re-entry problem, so the shorter figure matters.

2026-02

Mozambique ETA introduced then suspended

Mozambique launched an ETA system for visa-exempt nationalities in February 2026 via a VFS Global portal, but suspended it shortly after due to technical difficulties. As of April 2026, no pre-travel registration is required for South Africans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do South Africans need a visa for Mozambique?
No. South African passport holders enter Mozambique visa-free under the SADC agreement for up to 90 days. Note: Mozambique introduced an ETA in early 2026 but suspended it due to technical problems. As of April 2026, no pre-travel registration is required — but check evisa.gov.mz before travel as the ETA may be reinstated.
How long does the Komatipoort / Ressano Garcia border crossing take?
Off-peak (midweek, 09:30–13:30): typically 45–90 minutes. Peak times (Friday afternoon, Sunday evening, school holidays, December 15–January 5): 3–6+ hours. The crossing is 24 hours but immigration can be slow at night. A midweek morning crossing is strongly recommended.
What vehicle insurance do I need to drive to Mozambique?
Cross-border motor insurance is mandatory. The SADC Yellow Card (Comesa insurance) covers Mozambique and can be purchased from South African insurers before departure. Alternatively, temporary Mozambique motor insurance is available at the border. Your regular South African insurance does NOT cover Mozambique — purchase border insurance before crossing.
Do I need to apply for a Mozambique ETA before visiting?
Not currently. Mozambique introduced an ETA for visa-exempt travellers in February 2026 but suspended it shortly after. As of April 2026, South Africans enter Mozambique without any pre-travel registration. Check evisa.gov.mz or mozambiquetravel.com before your trip as this situation may change.

Data Sources & Verification

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