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Byevisa » Eswatini (Swaziland) Visitor Visa

A visa is required. We cannot assist in processing this document, but we provide instructions on how to apply.

All About the Visa for Eswatini (Swaziland)

Firstly, we should clarify that Swaziland was recently renamed Eswatini, which was the country’s original name. In 2018, King Mswati III decided to rename the country as part of the 50 Years of Independence celebrations. Nonetheless, the country still largely goes by the name Swaziland internationally, and on this page we’ll use a mix of both.

A total of 93 countries and territories worldwide are part of the country’s visa-waiver program, including the United States Of America, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU). These jurisdictions can visit Swaziland with just a passport and a sense of adventure for up to 30 days.

All nationalities that don’t fall into the category above, including India, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, must obtain a standard visa from an embassy if they wish to enter this Southern African gem of a country.

The good news is that the government is currently planning on introducing a Visa on Arrival (VoA) system, which would greatly facilitate access for tourists, so watch this space!

What Is the Difference Between a Swaziland Visa Waiver vs Tourist Visa?

Fortunately, the entry policies to this country nestled within Southern Africa are very straightforward. All nationalities are divided into 2 categories, namely those who need to get a travel permit and those who do not.

Countries under the visa-waiver program, like the USA and the UK, can visit for up to 30 days without requiring pre-authorisation from the authorities. That’s right, you won’t need to worry about endless paperwork and embassy appointments – you can just book your flights and take off!

On the other hand, the tourist visa is generally Single Entry and allows you to stay for up to 90 days. You can apply for this visa even if you are travelling on a short business trip, and you will need to visit an embassy to obtain this document.

Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa Application Process

Overall, it’s easy to get a visa for this country, even if it does mean making some plans in advance. If you have decided you simply must see the beautiful nature reserves and fascinating culture of Eswatini, all you need to do is follow these steps:

  • Book your flights and accommodation.
  • Complete the online application form with your details.
  • Submit the application.
  • Send your passport to the embassy via post.
  • Wait for your application to be processed.
  • Receive your passport back in the post with your travel document stamped inside it.

This is the most common procedure to get your travel document. However, different processes and options may be available at your nearest embassy, so it is best to contact your nearest embassy directly or visit their website.

At some embassies, you will be able to apply in person or opt for a combination of postal and in person service (i.e. apply by post, and then pick your document up from the embassy in person once it is ready).

If you are in South Africa and already have a South African visa, then you can have your Swaziland travel document processed in 2 days from the embassy in South Africa. A travel agency or representative can also request the documents on your behalf, so you don’t need to go in person to the embassy, taking time from safari or exploring the picturesque South African coast.

Swaziland Visa Requirements and Eligibility

In this section, we explore the specifics of which entry policy applies to each nationality. The easiest way to find out what entry requirements you need to follow is to find your passport nationality in the lists below and see which category it falls under.

List of Visa-Exempt Countries

Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
East Timor
Estonia
Finland
France
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guyana
Hungary
Ireland
Israel

Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Kuwait
Latvia
Lesotho
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Monaco
Montenegro
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Palestine
Papua New Guinea
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Cyprus
Russia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia

Samoa
San Marino
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Zambia
Zimbabwe

List of Countries That Require a Visa

Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Antarctica
Armenia
Aruba
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Benin
Bermuda
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Colombia
Comoros
Costa Rica
Côte D’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
French Guinea

French Polynesia
Gabon
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Honduras
Iceland
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Jordan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Macau
Macedonia
Mali
Marshall Island
Martinique
Mauritania
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Morocco
Myanmar
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia

Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Panama
Paraguay
People’s Republic of China
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Republic of Korea
Reunion
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Somalia
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Syria
Tajikistan
Thailand
Togo
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirate
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands
Western Sahara
Yemen

Now that you know the process you must follow to visit Swaziland, let’s take a look at what documents you will need to provide.

Eswatini (Swaziland) Application Form and Documents

If you need to apply for a travel document at the embassy, you will need to gather a number of forms and documents, whereas it’s a lot more smooth sailing for visa-exempt countries.

Nonetheless, there are some documents and conditions that apply to everyone wishing to visit this beautiful country.

General Requirements

Visa-free tourists should have at least 3 months validity left on their passport and a minimum of 2 blank pages.

To get a visa, you must have at least 6 months validity left on your passport and a minimum of 2 blank pages for stamps.

In addition, you may well be entering Swaziland from South Africa, in which case you should also check the entry requirements or transit requirements for South Africa. On top of this, you should have an additional 2 pages in your passport for the South African stamps.

Yellow Fever Certificate

For those who come from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or have recently travelled to or transited through a country with a yellow fever risk, you will need to present a yellow fever certificate to demonstrate that you have been vaccinated.

Visa Application

Before you start the application process, make sure you have the following documents:

  • Original passport
  • Confirmation of return flights
  • Confirmation of booked accommodation throughout your stay
  • Invitation letter (if applicable)

In the case that you are applying while you are in South Africa, you will need to provide the following documents at the embassy:

  • Your passport
  • Your South African visa
  • A passport-size picture of yourself
  • Confirmation of hotel bookings in Swaziland
  • Letter of invitation from your host if you do not have paid accommodation

Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa Status Check

No matter if you applied in person or by post, you would need to contact the embassy directly for information regarding the status of your application. Do consider the processing times, especially when the documents are being submitted and returned by post, before reaching out to the embassy.

However, if several weeks have gone by and your departure date is approaching, it’s a good idea to check in with embassy staff. This is to find out when you can expect to receive your document and if they need any additional actions or information from yourself.

To avoid your application being delayed or rejected, make sure you fill in the form carefully and ensure the details match those found on your passport. In addition, don’t forget to submit all the documents required for the process to run smoothly.

How Much Does an Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa Cost?

You will be pleased to know that the government fee for a Single Entry travel document is only 15 USD. However, if you are applying by post, there will be additional charges for the postage fees which vary from country to country. Moreover, if you are applying through an agency or third party, they will likely charge you a processing fee.

For those of you applying from South Africa, the fee is only 5 USD. As above, if you choose to process your application with the help of an agency, there will be additional costs to be considered.

More Eswatini (Swaziland) Visa Questions and Information

Wildlife is waiting! We hope you’ve found this page useful so far, and you are ready to plan your trip. Below you can find our FAQ section, in case you still have any doubts. Simply click on the arrows to find out the answer to each question.

Visa-free nationalities can stay here for up to 30 days.

Meanwhile, if you need a travel pass, then there are different types of documents available for tourists. The standard Single Entry permit grants travellers 30 days in the country. If you intend to visit multiple times, you can opt for a Multiple Entry visa, which is valid for 3 months.

Bear in mind that these are purely for tourism. If you are visiting to work, study or for any other reason, you will need a different type of authorisation.

Travellers from countries that require a visa are advised to apply around 1 month before you intend to travel. First, check the documents you need to submit the application. Then, follow the steps outlined in the ‘Application Process’ section of this page to get the ball rolling. You will be ready to fly off to Southern Africa in no time at all!
The official government website is where you can find out details about entry requirements and fees to obtain a travel permit. To make your life easier, we have gathered all the information you need right on this page in a concise and clear way, so you don’t need to navigate lots of complicated bureaucracy.
No, you won’t need to print your travel document, since it will be stamped directly into your passport by the embassy. You will just need to show your passport at the border when you arrive.

However, you may wish to print a copy of your return flights or onward travel arrangements as well as your hotel booking, as the border authorities may ask to see these.

The length of the application process can vary from country to country, but we generally recommend applying at least 1 month in advance. This way, if there are any delays or in the unlikely case you need to resubmit your application, your trip can still go ahead.

If you submit your application while you are already in South Africa, it will take just 2 business days to process the application.

It is unlikely your application will be rejected, so long as you have completed the application form correctly and provided all the necessary supporting documents. However, if it does get denied, you should contact the embassy in charge of your application to find out the reason why, as you may be able to reapply.
No matter which policies apply to your nationality, it is essential that your passport is valid and that it is not due to expire any time soon. If your passport is due to expire in less than 6 months from the date you will be leaving Eswatini, you must renew your passport before you travel or submit your application.
Don’t worry if you have dual citizenship, the only thing you need to do is choose which passport you will be travelling with. The most important thing is that you process all of the paperwork with the same passport, and you use the same passport throughout your trip.
If you have an American passport, you're in luck! US citizens are granted visa-free access to this country for a period of 30 days. This means that you can travel to Eswatini any time you wish with just your passport.

Do make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your exit date and has 2 blank pages in it before you set off.

Travelling to this African country couldn’t be easier for British passport holders! With a British passport you can visit for up to 30 days without needing a travel permit, which means that you can travel to Swaziland any time you wish with just your passport.

Simply ensure that your passport remains valid for at least 6 months from your exit date and has at least 2 blank pages left before your journey.

For your reference, here is an example of the travel document that will be stamped into your passport.
Are you ready to spot wildlife in Eswatini’s beautiful nature reserves? We use this section to provide you with links to useful information so that you can successfully plan your trip.
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