Travel from South Africa to United Arab Emirates is conditional — see requirements below
This is the generic answer for any South Africa citizen. Not legal or medical advice — verify with your airline and destination authorities before travel.
South Africa passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling to United Arab Emirates.
Generic country-level guidance for United Arab Emirates. Verify against the official source before you travel.
This page covers a direct flight to United Arab Emirates. If your route connects through a third country, that country may require its own transit visa — sometimes even for a short airside layover. Transit rules depend on your specific routing, so check the country you connect through separately, or analyse your full itinerary.
You're travelling to United Arab Emirates (AE). Your home cellular plan may or may not include data abroad — check your carrier's international options before you fly. An eSIM is a low-commitment alternative if your plan doesn't cover the destination or charges high roaming rates.
United Arab Emirates (AE) screens applicants and arriving travellers against criminal records (database and application). If your history is clean, no action — proceed normally. If you've ever been convicted of anything, two things matter: (1) any visa or entry-permit application asks the question, and answering 'no' when the answer is 'yes' is itself grounds for refusal even if the original conviction wouldn't have been; (2) some categories trigger denial regardless — the canonical examples are DUI for Canada and drug-related convictions for Japan. Research waivers / rehabilitation routes well before booking if either applies to you.
Declare ZAR 25,000 or equivalent when entering or leaving South Africa (ZA). Form: SARS declaration. Max ZAR 25,000 cash; foreign currency unlimited but must declare
This page covers the generic case for any South Africa citizen. Sign in (free) to factor in your specific passport expiry, vaccinations, previous visas held, and connecting flights — and get the same analysis for your exact itinerary.
Sign in (free) to personalize →Declare AED 60,000 or equivalent when entering or leaving United Arab Emirates (AE). Form: Customs declaration. Declare AED 60,000+ (approx $16,300) on entry or exit
The US State Department publishes these advisories for your route. United Arab Emirates: Level 3 — Reconsider Travel (as of 2026-03-03). The State Department recommends reconsidering travel here; read the country page and check whether your specific destination falls in a higher-risk zone. This is a US State Department safety perspective, not an entry or boarding rule — it doesn't affect whether you can board, only what to be aware of on the ground. Travellers from other countries should also check their own government's advisory.
Your itinerary touches South Africa (ZA), where malaria transmission occurs. Transmission is often region-limited within a country (e.g. coastal vs highland zones) and varies by season. Discuss prophylaxis with a travel medicine clinician — the right antimalarial depends on the specific region, your medical history, and any medications you take.
United Arab Emirates (AE) requires every visitor to hold travel health insurance. Required for some visa categories including visit visas Print or save the policy summary page (insurer, policy number, coverage limit, dates) — that's what border officers look for.
United Arab Emirates (AE) restricts or bans the import of: codeine, tramadol, some antidepressants, ADHD stimulants, sleeping pills. The risk is real — travellers have been detained at customs for over-the-counter products that are routine elsewhere. If you take any prescription medication, look up the active ingredient against the restricted list above before booking. Always carry the prescription bottle plus a doctor's letter naming the medication and the condition it treats. Adding your medications to your profile (optional) lets us tell you specifically which of yours match. UAE requires prior approval for many medications. Carry prescription + doctor's letter + MoH approval.
Typical September conditions at DXB (United Arab Emirates (AE)): hot. Typical lows around 26°C, highs around 39°C, little rain (~1mm for the month). Plan for high temperatures — daytime highs around 39°C. Light clothing, sun protection, and hydration are worth packing in.
Your South Africa (ZA) passport requires a traditional visa for United Arab Emirates. Traditional visas typically require a consulate appointment, paperwork, fees, and a multi-day to multi-week wait. Confirm requirements directly with the destination's consular site before booking. Source: Wikipedia visa matrix, synced 2026-06-21T10:11:55.888854+00:00.