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Marshall Islands Visa for South Africa Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

South African citizens receive a visa on arrival for the Marshall Islands valid for 30 days - available at Amata Kabua International Airport in Majuro with a valid passport and onward ticket, no advance application needed.

Guide last updated October 22, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date
  • Onward or return ticket showing you will leave within the permitted stay
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
  • Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay
  • No prior visa application form - the arrival card is completed on the plane or at immigration
  • Passport-size photo not required for the arrival permit itself, but keep one spare for any extension application
  • No mandatory biometrics at entry; immigration may photograph you on arrival
  • Travel health insurance is strongly recommended as medical facilities in Majuro are very limited and medevac to Hawaii or the Philippines is often needed for serious cases

Visa types

  • Visitor Permit (visa on arrival): issued for tourism, transit or business visits, single entry, initial validity up to 30 days, no fee for most nationalities including South Africans
  • Extension of Stay: granted by the Division of Immigration in Majuro, can extend in increments up to a maximum stay of 90 days per visit
  • Work Permit: separate application required before travel, sponsored by a Marshallese employer, not available on arrival

Visa on arrival

  • Port of entry: Amata Kabua International Airport (MAJ), Majuro - this is essentially the only international gateway
  • Steps: disembark, complete the arrival/immigration card provided on the flight, present it with your passport, onward ticket and accommodation proof at the immigration counter
  • No visa fee is charged for the initial 30-day permit for most visitors
  • Processing at the counter typically takes under 15 minutes as flight frequency is low (a few flights a week via United Airlines' island-hopper route)
  • Queue tips: flights arrive at irregular hours including overnight; have your documents in hand before disembarking since the terminal is small and processing is done in batches per flight

Fees & processing time

  • Initial 30-day visitor permit: no fee for South African passport holders
  • Extension fee: approximately USD 50-80 per extension application, paid in USD cash at the Division of Immigration, Majuro
  • No VFS, BLS or outsourced visa centre involved - all processing is done directly by Marshallese immigration officials on arrival or in-country
  • Total cost estimate for a standard 30-day visit: USD 0 beyond your airfare and standard airport departure tax
  • Processing time: immediate at the airport counter; extensions typically take 1-3 working days to approve

Tips for South Africa travelers

  • Book onward flights carefully - the Marshall Islands is served by very limited weekly flights, so plan your exit ticket before arrival since immigration will check for it
  • Carry US dollars in cash, as card facilities are scarce outside Majuro and the US dollar is the official currency
  • Common issue for travelers generally is arriving without a confirmed onward/return ticket, which can delay entry
  • There is no South African embassy or consulate in the Marshall Islands - contact the South African mission in Canberra or Washington DC for emergency consular support
  • If you intend to stay longer than 30 days, apply for an extension early at the Majuro immigration office rather than waiting until the permit is about to expire

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.