Chinese passport holders are not visa-exempt for South Africa. Whether you are visiting family, exploring business or coming to work, you need the right visa or electronic travel authorisation before you fly. This section is organised from short visits, through work and business, to settling for good.
Start here
- South Africa ETA guide: applying online for a short visit on a Chinese passport.
- Tourist visa: documents, fees and processing times for holidays and family visits.
- Work visas: the points system, the critical skills visa and the general work visa.
- Business visa and business trips: short business visits and visas for opening a company.
- Remote work visa: for digital nomads employed by a company outside South Africa.
- Permanent residence: the main routes and requirements.
Key things to know
- Chinese citizens need a visa. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system and China is one of the eligible countries, so short visits can be applied for online. Check the DHA site for the current scope (as of October 2026).
- Work visas use a points system. Since October 2024 the critical skills and general work visas are assessed on points, with a minimum of 100. Points come from an occupation on the critical skills list, qualifications, salary, work experience and language ability.
- A remote work visa exists. People employed by a foreign employer who earn above the set income threshold can apply; confirm the current threshold with Home Affairs.
- Your visa must match what you do. Working on a tourist or business visa is a breach of the rules, and overstaying can get you declared “undesirable” and barred from re-entering for a period.
- Prepare Chinese documents early. Police clearance, degrees, marriage and birth certificates usually need notarisation and authentication in China plus an English translation.
Related sections
Once you have a work visa, continue to Work & jobs for job hunting and labour law. If you plan to open a company, see Business & investment.
