Yellow Fever Information for Travellers

Due to high incidents of yellow fever and other infectious illnesses, the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa has introduced a strict programme to control the spread of these diseases.

In line with the International Health Regulations, 2005 South Africa requires a valid Yellow Fever certificate from all citizens and non citizens over one year of age:

• travelling from a Yellow Fever risk country; or
• having been in transit exceeding 12 hours, through the airport of a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

Please note: yellow fever vaccination is now valid for life in South Africa. A yellow fever certificate becomes valid and offers protection 10 days after the date of vaccination.

Failure to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at a South African port of entry could lead to refusal of entry, or quarantine until your certificate becomes valid. Quarantine will not be longer than six days.

If you have exemption certificate due to medical reasons, you will be allowed entry, but you will be required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities, and you will be placed under surveillance.