Country guide
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Visa
Visa required
Vaccinations
None required
Currency
UAE Dirham (AED)
Time zones
UTC/GMT +4 hours (2 hours ahead of South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 971
Best time to go
November – April
Drinking water
Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, but is provided due to desalination therefore visitors may preferred bottled water.
Visa guide
Entry requirements
- A passport valid for at least six months
- A travel ticket to continue his journey or a ticket to leave the country.
- Valid health insurance in the country.
Visa requirements
Visas are required by SA Passport Holders.
NOTE: Requirements differ by airline and destination, May include:
- Completed application form
- 6x6cm photograph in colour (minimum of 600x600 pixels) with a white background (at least 80% of your face should be visible)
- Colour copy of bio page of passport
- Valid passport with at least six months validity at the time of travel
- Accommodation bookings
- Confirmed ticket travelling into UAE and onwards from UAE
- Invite from your immediate family members
- Letter from the bank (Original letter stating that applicant has sufficient funds to travel to the UAE).
- Letter from Employer (Original letter stating that applicant is employed at the said company and the position held).
Visa application centre
APPLICATIONS: EMIRATES AIRLINES
Apply via VFS Global:
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/are/
Monday to Friday (08:30 – 16:30)
JOHANNESBURG: Building 11, Bedfordview Office Park, 3 Riley Rd, Bedfordview
Tel: 011 783 0410 / 783 1941
Email: infodvpcsa@vfsglobal.com
CAPE TOWN: 8th Floor 2 Long Street, Cape Town
Tel: 021 001 8502
Email: infodvpccpt@vfsglobal.com
DURBAN: Unit – 4, Crystal Rock 16 Solstice Road, Umhlanga Ridge New Town, Umhlanga Ridge
Tel: 031 396 3309
Email: infodvpcdur@vfsglobal.com
APPLICATIONS: ETIHAD [Abu Dhabi]
Apply via Etihad website: [www.etihad.com/en/fly-etihad/visas](www.etihad.com/en/fly-etihad/visas)
APPLICATIONS: QATAR AIRWAYS
Passengers can obtain an e-visa before departure at smart.gdrfad.gov.ae (for Dubai) or smartservices.icp.gov.ae (for other Emirates)
Issuing authorities
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Pretoria
992 Arcadia Street, Arcadia
Tel: 012 342 7736
E-mail: pretoriaemb@mofaic.gov.ae
Web: www.mofaic.gov.ae/en
The embassy does not issue tourist visas.
SA representative
South African Embassy
Villa No 1 - 151, Cnr Jabal A Marfa & Al Niwayi Streets, Al Mushrif Area, Abu Dhabi
Tel: + 971 (2) 417 6400
Email: abudhabi.dha@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/abudhabi/
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: None
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio
Public holidays
2026: Jan 1; Mar 20-22; May 26-28; Jun 17; Aug 26; Dec 2-3