Why use Apostil for document notarisation?

Saving you time: We queue for you, we apply on your behalf, we call and travel many times to follow up on your applications and then collect once ready. Usually, we receive documents much, much faster than if you had applied alone, especially if you are based outside of South Africa. You save masses of time using our services.

Why use Apostil for document notarisation?

Experience and know-how: We are a reputable firm with an extensive track record. Other providers are typically back-street operators or single operators – be aware as your personal documentation is at stake. If your documentation has errors, we attempt to have this corrected, usually at no extra cost.

Apostil – Where are we based?

Apostil.co.za has various office addresses in the Western Cape and Gauteng. You can only courier them to us, please enquire for the address (depends on your requirement). We also offer a delivery and collection service within SA and globally, through DHL, The Courier Guy and other companies. To reiterate, we only accept documentation, couriered, to our addresses.

South African passport drops out of the world’s top 50

South African travellers have just taken a bit of a hit. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, the South African passport has slipped out of the global top 50, dropping from 48th place in 2024 to 53rd in 2025.

The Henley Passport Index is one of the most respected global rankings for travel freedom. It evaluates 199 passports against 227 international destinations, awarding points based on how many countries a passport holder can enter visa-free or with visa-on-arrival (VoA), an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), or a visitor’s permit.

However, countries that require any kind of pre-departure visa or government approval, even if the process is digital, do not count toward a nation’s visa-free score.

How South Africa’s passport ranking slipped

In 2024, South Africa managed to break into the top 50, giving locals a small reason to celebrate. But this year, that momentum slowed. The number of countries South Africans can enter without applying for a visa in advance has decreased slightly, from 103 destinations to 102.

While a one-country difference may sound minor, it was enough to knock South Africa down five places in the global ranking. The country now sits just behind Qatar, but there’s a nine-point gap between the two.

At the top of the list, Singapore continues to dominate with visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). European nations, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, share fourth place with access to 188 destinations.

Meanwhile, at the bottom end, Afghanistan remains the world’s weakest passport, granting access to just 24 countries, followed closely by Syria with 26.

Notably, the United States has fallen out of the top ten for the first time in two decades, a reflection of stricter immigration policies and reduced reciprocal agreements in recent years.

Why South Africa lost a visa-free destination

The country’s fall in ranking stems mainly from the loss of visa-free access to Somalia.

Until recently, South Africans could travel to Somalia and obtain a visa on arrival. However, in September 2025, the Somalian Immigration and Citizenship Agency officially introduced a new eVisa system, replacing the old VoA setup.

This means South African travellers must now apply for and receive approval before departure, removing the flexibility that previously allowed for last-minute travel.

Isxaaq Hassan Takow, Director of Somalia’s Department of Foreign Affairs, said the system has been long in development and aims to streamline the application process while ensuring security and transparency.

While this digital shift may simplify things for many global travellers, it complicates matters for South Africans who now face stricter pre-travel requirements. The process also introduces higher risk, if an eVisa is denied, travellers lose both time and their non-refundable application fee.

Somali officials argue that the new process strengthens border control and financial accountability, as all visa-related payments now go directly to the Ministry of Finance. Exceptions remain for diplomats, UN passport holders, and nationals from countries with existing visa-free agreements.

Where South Africans can still travel visa-free

Despite this setback, South Africans still enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 102 destinations worldwide, including favourites such as Mauritius, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and Brazil.

Some of the most accessible regions include:

Africa

Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania remain popular visa-free destinations for South Africans.

The Americas

Travellers can explore Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and several Caribbean islands without pre-arranged visas.

Asia and the Pacific

Countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Fiji, and Vanuatu welcome South African passport holders with ease.

While 102 destinations still offer fairly broad mobility, the gradual tightening of global visa policies — especially with digital systems replacing traditional VoAs, suggests that South Africans may face more administrative hurdles in the years ahead.

Why this matters for travellers

Visa policy changes, even minor ones, can affect travel plans, business opportunities, and even emigration timelines. Having the right documentation, from birth certificates and marriage documents to unabridged certificates and police clearances, is becoming increasingly important for anyone who needs to prove identity or citizenship abroad.

That’s where Apostil.co.za comes in.

Make travel and document legalisation simple with Apostil.co.za

If you’re planning to travel, work, or move abroad, your South African documents often need to be apostilled or authenticated before they’re accepted internationally. Apostil.co.za offers a reliable, fast, and fully managed service to help you: