South Africa ends visa-free entry for Palestinians

December 8, 2025|Joshua

South Africa has ended its 90-day visa-free entry for Palestinian passport holders due to abuse of the exemption linked to forced displacement schemes from Gaza, requiring Palestinians to now obtain visas prior to travel while still processing genuine asylum and visitor applications.

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South Africa has withdrawn its 90-day visa exemption for Palestinian ordinary passport holders, ending visa-free entry that had been in place for just over two years. The Department of Home Affairs says the waiver was being systematically abused to move Palestinians out of Gaza under the guise of voluntary migration, and that South Africa does not want to be used to facilitate forced displacement.

Background: from visa exemption to suspension

In September 2023 South Africa introduced a 90-day visa exemption for holders of Palestinian passports, allowing them to enter the country without first applying at an embassy. The measure was framed at the time as a gesture of solidarity and was intended to support tourism and short visits.

On 6 December 2025 the Department of Home Affairs announced that this exemption had been withdrawn with immediate effect, following consultations in the government security cluster and recommendations from national intelligence structures.

Why the visa exemption was withdrawn

According to the official statement, investigations into two recent charter flights carrying Palestinian passport holders to Johannesburg revealed that the visa-free regime was being used not for tourism or short stays, but to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.

Entire aircraft were chartered by intermediaries rather than by the travellers themselves.
Many passengers travelled on one-way tickets, with no confirmed onward or return journey.
Travellers were reportedly told not to bring luggage and to carry only cash and basic essentials.
On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, a significant number lacked proof of accommodation, onward travel plans or clear documentation of their route.
South African authorities suspect that the flights were part of broader efforts by external actors, described as being linked to voluntary emigration schemes, to remove Palestinians from Gaza.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that withdrawing the visa exemption was the most effective way to stop further chartered flights of this kind while still allowing genuine Palestinian visitors to travel to South Africa through regular visa channels. The ministry stressed that South Africa would not be complicit in any scheme to exploit or displace Palestinians from Gaza.

Fears of manipulation and forced migration

South African officials were already investigating the circumstances around a chartered flight that brought more than 150 Palestinians, many believed to be from Gaza, to Johannesburg in mid-November 2025. The group was initially kept onboard for several hours while authorities tried to clarify their status and travel history, before most were admitted under the existing 90-day exemption.

Civil society groups and Palestinian representatives in South Africa have alleged that vulnerable Palestinians were misled by intermediaries offering evacuation and resettlement, raising concerns that such operations amounted to pressure to leave Gaza permanently. Reports have also pointed to an unregistered organisation that may have coordinated multiple relocation flights from the region, prompting fears of organised, externally driven migration rather than voluntary travel.

Against this backdrop, the South African government framed the end of visa-free access as a protective measure designed to close off a route it believes was being manipulated for forced or coerced migration, while still allowing individual Palestinians to seek protection or visit through standard procedures.

Who is affected

The decision specifically targets:

Holders of ordinary Palestinian passports who previously enjoyed a 90-day visa exemption for short stays in South Africa.
Travellers seeking to enter South Africa for tourism, family visits, business trips or other short-term purposes.

Diplomatic and official passport holders may be covered by separate arrangements; the government statement focuses on ordinary passport holders.

Palestinians who already entered South Africa under the 90-day exemption before it was withdrawn will keep their current admission conditions. Home Affairs has indicated that it will respect the existing 90-day entry granted to those who arrived on the recent charter flights, while also processing any asylum applications they choose to lodge.

New entry rules for Palestinian passport holders

With the exemption cancelled, Palestinian passport holders are now treated like other nationalities that require visas for South Africa and must obtain permission before travelling.

In practical terms:

Visa-free entry for up to 90 days no longer applies to holders of ordinary Palestinian passports.
Palestinian travellers must apply for an appropriate South African visitor visa in advance, generally through a South African embassy, high commission, consulate or authorised visa application centre in the country where they reside.
Visas are not issued on arrival; airlines are expected to deny boarding to passengers who require a visa but do not hold one.

The Department of Home Affairs has said that visas for bona fide Palestinian visitors will continue to be processed, but that applications will be scrutinised to prevent further abuse linked to relocation schemes.

General visa and passport requirements

While specific requirements can vary by consular post, standard South African visitor visa rules typically include:

A valid passport that remains valid for at least 30 days after the intended departure from South Africa.
At least one or two blank visa pages for the visa sticker and entry or exit stamps.
A completed visa application form, often BI-84 or DHA-84, signed in black ink.
Proof of sufficient financial means, such as recent bank statements or proof of sponsorship.
A provisional return or onward ticket and, where applicable, an outline of the intended itinerary.
Supporting documents that explain the purpose and duration of the visit, such as hotel bookings or an invitation letter.

Travellers should always confirm the exact documentary requirements, fees and processing times with the nearest South African mission or authorised visa centre before applying, as rules and procedures can change and may differ by country.

Humanitarian and asylum options

For Palestinians already in South Africa or arriving with valid permission, the authorities have indicated that:

Those who choose to seek international protection can lodge asylum claims, which will be processed under South Africa’s refugee and asylum system.
Those who do not apply for asylum but entered lawfully under the former exemption will keep their original 90-day admission terms, subject to ordinary immigration rules.

Any future Palestinian arrivals who believe they are at risk of persecution or serious harm may ask about asylum procedures through South African authorities on arrival, though their ability to board a flight will still depend on holding a valid visa or other entry authorisation.

What travellers should do now

Palestinian passport holders planning to visit South Africa should:

Check the latest entry rules and any further announcements from the South African Department of Home Affairs or their nearest South African embassy before making travel plans.
Allow extra time for visa processing, especially while the new policy is being implemented and consular posts adjust to increased application volumes.
Be wary of intermediaries offering evacuation, resettlement or quick travel arrangements from Gaza or neighbouring countries, particularly if they suggest using South Africa as a transit point without clear legal pathways or documentation.
Seek advice from reputable legal aid organisations, recognised refugee agencies or official diplomatic missions if they are unsure about their options.

South African authorities have emphasised that the country remains open to genuine Palestinian visitors and to those who need protection, but that movements must take place through transparent and lawful channels rather than through secretive chartered flights or informal schemes.