The 2025 Henley & Partners Passport Index has just been released, and it’s good news for South Africa.

The latest rankings show that South African passport holders can now travel to 106 countries without needing a visa.

This is a major leap in terms of travel freedom, putting South Africa in 48th place out of 199 countries globally.

What is the Henley & Partners Passport Index?

Henley & Partners Passport Index is an annual update that ranks the world’s passports based on how many destinations their holders can visit without a visa.

The index looks at 199 passports and 227 destinations, continually updated monthly to reflect the latest changes in global travel policies.

South Africa’s strong performance in the 2025 index reflects its growing international standing.

With a score of 106 visa-free destinations, South Africans now enjoy more opportunities to explore the world.

Leading the World: Singapore and Japan Top the Index

While South Africa is doing well, the world’s most powerful passport remains Singapore.

Singaporeans can visit 195 destinations without a visa, giving them the highest score.

Japan comes in a close second, with its passport holders able to access 193 countries visa-free.

These top-ranking passports reflect the growing travel privileges granted to countries with strong diplomatic relationships and visa agreements globally.

Breakdown of Visa-Free Destinations for South Africans

South African passport holders have access to a wide range of destinations across different continents. Here’s how the 106 visa-free destinations are distributed:

Africa: 34 countries
Americas: 18 countries
Asia: 17 countries
Caribbean: 16 countries
Europe: 3 countries
Middle East: 8 countries
Oceania: 10 countries

This diversity allows South Africans to enjoy an extensive network of travel options across various regions, making it easier for business, leisure, or personal trips.

Full List of 106 Visa-Free Countries for South African Passport Holders

South Africans can visit the following countries either visa-free or with some alternatives such as visa on arrival or electronic travel authority (ETA):

Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Bolivia
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Burundi
Cambodia
Cape Verde Islands
Cayman Islands
Chile
Comoro Islands
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
eSwatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Fiji
Gabon
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Indonesia
Iran
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lesotho
Macao (SAR China)
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Micronesia
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Niue
Oman
Pakistan
Palau Islands
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Reunion
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Somalia
South Korea
Sri Lanka
St. Helena
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
The Gambia
Timor-Leste
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe

This list offers South Africans plenty of options for international exploration, and it highlights the global mobility afforded by their passport.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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