[Last updated 10 November 2020]
After a six-month dry spell in the travel industry, South Africa’s borders have swung open and people are more excited than ever to take to the skies. As we eagerly prepare for the next travel chapter, there’s been much speculation about which countries made it onto our green list.
In line with World Organisation guidelines, factors including Covid-19 transmission patterns, public health and social safety measures, as well as health capacity in the public sector have been taken into account.
For those who can’t wait to dust off their suitcase and hit the international runway, here is the green list of flights to and from South Africa.
International flights from South Africa
International flights from Johannesburg:
Arrival City | Airline |
Abu Dhabi | Etihad |
Abuja | RwandAir |
Accra | RwandAir |
Addis Ababa | Ethiopian Airlines |
Amsterdam | KLM |
Atlanta | Delta Air Lines |
Beira | Airlink |
Brazzaville | RwandAir |
Bulawayo | Airlink, Fastjet |
Cairo | EgyptAir |
Cotonou | RwandAir |
Dar es Salaam | RwandAir, CemAir |
Doha | Qatar |
Douala | RwandAir |
Dubai | Emirates |
Entebbe | RwandAir |
Frankfurt | Lufthansa |
Gaborone | Airlink |
Harare | RwandAir, Fastjet |
Istanbul | Turkish Airlines |
Kasane | Airlink |
Kigali | RwandAir |
Kilimanjaro | RwandAir |
Kinshasa | RwandAir |
Lagos | CemAir |
Libreville | RwandAir |
Lisbon | TAAG |
Livingstone | Kenya Airways |
London | British Airways, Virgin Atlantic |
Luanda | CemAir, TAAG |
Lubombo (Eswatini) | Airlink |
Lubumbashi | CemAir |
Lusaka | RwandAir, Proflight Zambia |
Maputo | LAM, Airlink |
Maseru | Airlink |
Maun | Airlink |
Nairobi | Kenya Airways, RwandAir |
Ndola | Airlink, Proflight Zambia |
New York (Newark) | United Airlines (from March 2021) |
Nosy Be (Madagascar) | Airlink |
Paris | Air France |
Pemba | Airlink |
Seychelles | Air Seychelles |
Singapore | Singapore Airlines |
Victoria Falls | Fastjet |
Vilanculos | Airlink |
Walvis Bay | Airlink, Air Namibia |
Windhoek | Air Namibia, Airlink |
Zanzibar | Mango |
Zurich | Swiss Air |
International flights from Cape Town:
Arrival City | Airline |
Addis Ababa | Ethiopian Airlines |
Amsterdam | KLM |
Atlanta | Delta Air Lines |
Doha | Qatar |
Dubai | Emirates |
Frankfurt | Lufthansa |
Harare | RwandAir |
Istanbul | Turkish Airlines |
Kigali | RwandAir |
Lisbon | TAAG |
Livingstone | Kenya Airways |
London | British Airways |
Luanda | TAAG |
Nairobi | Kenya Airways |
New York | United Airlines |
Paris | Air France |
Walvis Bay | Air Namibia |
Windhoek | Air Namibia, Airlink |
International flights from Durban:
Arrival City | Airline |
Doha | Qatar |
Dubai | Emirates |
International flights to South Africa
All travellers from African countries and those from selected low-risk countries outside of Africa may now safely visit our beautiful country. Low-risk countries have a lower number of Covid-19 infections and deaths than South Africa; whereas high-risk countries have a greater number of infections and deaths compared to South Africa.
Travel from high-risk countries will only be permitted for business workers, investors, skilled professionals and diplomats.
High-risk countries will be reviewed every two weeks.
Departure City | Airline |
Abuja | RwandAir |
Accra | RwandAir |
Addis Ababa | Ethiopian Airlines |
Amsterdam | KLM |
Atlanta | Delta Air Lines |
Brazzaville | RwandAir |
Bulawayo | Airlink, Fastjet |
Cairo | EgyptAir |
Cotonou | RwandAir |
Dar es Salaam | RwandAir |
Doha | Qatar |
Douala | RwandAir |
Dubai | Emirates |
Entebbe | RwandAir |
Frankfurt | Lufthansa |
Harare | Airlink |
Istanbul | Turkish Airlines |
Kigali | RwandAir |
Kilimanjaro | RwandAir |
Kinshasa | RwandAir |
Lagos | CemAir |
Libreville | RwandAir |
Livingstone | Kenya Airways |
London | British Airways, Virgin Atlantic |
Luanda | CemAir |
Lubumbashi | CemAir |
Lusaka | RwandAir |
Nairobi | Kenya Airways, RwandAir |
Ndola | Airlink, Proflight Zambia |
New York (Newark) | United Airlines (from March 2021) |
Nosy Be (Madagascar) | Airlink |
Paris | Air France |
Singapore | Singapore Airlines |
Walvis Bay | Airlink |
Zurich | Swiss Air |
Entry requirements for international flights to South Africa:
-
- Valid passport and E-Ticket
- Visa to enter South Africa (if applicable)
- Upon arrival into South Africa, all travellers must present a negative PCR or Covid-19 test certificate not older than 72 hours from departure time from the country of origin. Tests must be conducted and signed by a certified medical practitioner. South African authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of test certificates.
- Any traveller who exhibits Covid-19 symptoms when screened upon arrival will be required to take a Covid-19 test at their own expense. Should the test display positive results, travellers will be subject to mandatory quarantine for 10 days at their own expense.
- All travellers must complete an Entry Health Screen Form either prior to or on arrival.
- All travellers will be screened by Port Health Officials upon arrival and departure. Those presenting symptoms must remain in quarantine until a repeat COVID-19 test is carried out.
- All travellers must wear masks at all times within the airport or port of entry.
- Foreign nationals must have travel insurance that covers the costs of testing, quarantine and hospitalisation (if needed) before boarding their flight to South Africa. This does not apply to South African citizens.
- Travellers must show proof of accommodation or address in South Africa in the event self-quarantine is required.
- International flights will only operate in and out of these three airports: OR Tambo in Joburg, King Shaka in Durban and Cape Town International Airport.
- Long-term visas will be reinstated and South African visa application centres abroad will be opened. Travellers are encouraged to install the COVID Alert SA mobile app.
Overland travel:
- 18 land borders will be fully operational.
- Scholars and educators needing to commute daily from neighbouring countries are free to do so, subject to entry requirements.
- Travellers must wear face masks.
- Travellers will be screened for Covid-19 upon arrival.
- Upon arrival into South Africa, travellers must present a negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours from departure time.
- Travellers must provide proof of address in the event they need to self-isolate if tested positive.
- Travellers must present a completed Traveller Health Questionnaire.
Exit requirements for flights from South Africa:
- Valid passport and E-Ticket
- Valid visa for arrival destination (if applicable)
- Quarantine arrangements upon arrival (if applicable)
- Any additional documents required for entry
- Face mask
- Completed Exit Health Form
- Travel insurance to cover Covid-19 related risks (highly recommended)
- Always check entry requirements at your arrival destination (visas, PCR tests, any additional requirements). South Africa does not require a negative PCR test for departure, unless it is required by the country you’re travelling to. For return flights into South Africa on all airlines, all passengers must produce a PCR test not older than 72 hours from departure time.
For the full red list of countries that are not allowed into South Africa for leisure travel, visit our dedicated Travel Info page.
The green list and red list for international travel are under continuous revision by our cabinet. For the latest Lockdown Level 1 updates on travel requirements and restrictions, keep an eye on our Travel Info page.
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Frequently asked questions
Is entry based on the country of citizenship or residence, or where a traveller has visited/ transited through?
Entry into South Africa for foreign nationals is based on where the traveller has spent the previous 10 days. If the passport of a foreign national traveller from a high-risk country indicates that they have spent 10 days or more in a low-risk country before departure to South Africa, they will be considered to be arriving from a low-risk country and subject to the low-risk entry requirements.
South African citizens and permanent residents will always be allowed to return home, whether or not they are travelling from or through a high-risk country.
Are South Africans allowed to travel to and from high-risk countries?
South Africans may travel to any country that is open to South Africans for leisure or business purposes.
What happens if South Africans transit through a high-risk country on their return flight to South Africa?
South Africans will always be allowed to return home, whether or not they are travelling from or through a high-risk country. Restrictions are based on where the traveller’s passport indicates they have resided over the last 10 days.
Do returning South Africans need travel insurance to re-enter South Africa from abroad?
The requirement for travel insurance applies to foreign national travellers. South Africans without travel insurance will not be denied entry, however, you are strongly advised to take out a comprehensive insurance cover for peace of mind.
Must South African citizens present a negative PCR test when exiting South Africa?
South African authorities do not require you to have a test when departing South Africa, unless it is required by the country you are travelling to. However, should you exhibit symptoms during screening, you will be denied boarding.
Testing may be conducted at various international airports so make sure you have the required documents for your destination. Some countries, like the UAE, require a negative PCR test when transiting through airports (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi). This is required for BOTH directions and applies when travelling with Emirates and Etihad.
Where can I get tested in South Africa before I travel?
You can access over 200 testing sites across the country. Please visit Pathcare, Lancet and Ampath for a list of sites per province.
The cost for a Covid-19 test is R850 and results take 48-72 hours to process.
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart will not be held liable for loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of out-dated or incorrectly noted information.