Algeria visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for South Africans visiting Algeria

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Algerian Visa.

  • Two completed visa application forms.
  • Two passport photographs with the applicant’s name written on them.
  • A valid national passport with two consecutive blank pages for Algerian stamps. It should be valid or at least 6 months after the return date.
  • A copy of identification document is required.
  • Photocopy of a valid travel document.
  • The applicant’s birth or marriage certificate.
  • Proof of financial stability and support for the duration of stay.
  • Travel and medical insurance.
  • Return flight ticket to South Africa.
  • The visa application payment fee receipt.
  • Residence permits are required for all the international citizens that need to stay in Algeria beyond 90 days.
  • Note that visa applications are submitted from Monday to Thursday. Those tendered on Fridays would not be attended to until the following Monday. 

Algeria Visa for South Africans

Facts about Algeria

Algeria is the largest country in Africa in terms of land mass and also one of the most exciting countries in Africa.

Algeria has a fantastic diversity of landscape with the Sahara desert in the south, beaches along the Mediterranean sea to the north, mountains that offer excellent hiking during the summer and skiing opportunities in the snow during winter.

Algeria also has an extremely rich history with 7 World Heritage sites and is one of the most socially developed countries in the whole of Africa.


When entering the country with whatever amount of money, you have to fill an official form. When leaving the country, you will be searched and if there is any disparity with the amount you came in with, you will have to account for this disparity.

Types of Algeria Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 5 working days 90 days
Business visa 5 working days 90 days
Transit visa 5 working days 5 days

General Requirements for Algeria Visa

  • Two completed visa application forms.
  • Two passport photographs with the applicant’s name written on them.
  • A valid national passport with two consecutive blank pages for Algerian stamps. It should be valid or at least 6 months after the return date.
  • A copy of identification document is required.
  • Photocopy of a valid travel document.
  • The applicant’s birth or marriage certificate.
  • Proof of financial stability and support for the duration of stay.
  • Travel and medical insurance.
  • Return flight ticket to South Africa.
  • The visa application payment fee receipt.
  • Residence permits are required for all the international citizens that need to stay in Algeria beyond 90 days.
  • Note that visa applications are submitted from Monday to Thursday. Those tendered on Fridays would not be attended to until the following Monday. 
Algeria Tourist visa Algeria Business visa Algeria Transit visa

Algeria Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Algerian tourist visa is issued to applicants who want to visit the country for tourism and leisure.
  • Two visa forms are needed and are to be completed online. Handwritten forms are not accepted.  
  • Both forms must have the applicant’s original signature. 
  • Old visa forms are not allowed for the visa application. 
  • South Africans planning to travel to Algeria should gather the following documents:   
    • An original signed passport that should be valid for 6 months beyond stay in Algeria.
    • The passport should have at least two blank pages available for Algerian visa stamps.
    • Three identical passport photos with a white background. The photos should be 35mm x 45mm in width and height.
    • A computer generated flight itinerary should be submitted along with the application form.
    •  Important dates of your journey, flight numbers, places you plan to visit, and the details of arrangements made for your accommodation must be given in the itinerary.
    • The flight itinerary should also have the name and complete address of the applicant.
  • There must be documents that prove the applicant's financial stability for the duration of stay. These should include monthly bank statements for 6 months. 
  • The account name and number must be reflected with the issuing date of the bank statement.
  • The applicant will also have to submit the certificat d’hebergement. i.e. certificate of accommodation which shows proof of the applicant's accommodation provision.
  • Hotel/resort reservation documents are also required. 
  • Travel and health insurance documents  are required in case of  emergencies.  
  •  Applicants must show a proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever.
  • The final step to getting your tourist visa approved is to have an invitation from a registered travel agency in Algeria.
  • Applicants of this visa should note that they are to make travel arrangements based on the date of entry as arrival into Algeria before the stipulated date is not allowed.

Algeria Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Algerian business visa is issued to applicants who want to visit Algeria for business purposes.
  • Applicants are required to have two signed and online filled Algerian visa application forms as handwritten forms are not accepted.  
  • Both forms must have the applicant’s original signature. 
  • During your visa application, old forms cannot be used as this could result to the rejection of your application.
  • The following documents should be taken along with the visa application forms to the embassy:    
    • An original signed passport. The passport has to be valid for 6 months beyond stay in Algeria with at least two blank passport page available for Algerian visa stamp.
    • Three identical passport photos with a white background. The photos should be 35mm x 45mm in width and height.
    • A computer generated flight itinerary is required along with the application form.
    • Important dates of your journey, flight numbers, places you plan to visit, and the details of accommodation arrangements must be given in the itinerary.
    • It should also have the name and complete address of the applicant.
  • A signed invitation from a host company stating the purpose and duration of the stay should be provided.
  • There must be a document that prove the applicant's financial stability. This should include a bank statement of 6 months.
  • The account name and number must be reflected with the issuing date of the bank statement.
  • Applicants would also submit pay slips(salary advice) from the last 3 months.  
  • The applicant would submit a proof of  accommodation provision even if it has been listed in the itinerary. 
  • Applicants are required to have health insurance issued to cover their entire duration of stay. 
  • Ensure you have a proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever.  
  • Note that the embassy may request for additional documents during the evaluation process.

Algeria Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa allows you to make a short stay Algeria.
  • You may need to board a flight to your destination country from Algeria.
  • You are required to have a visa to your destination country.
  • Holders of this visa type cannot go around the country for sightseeing.
  • You can neither attend business meetings nor take up paid work during your time in the country.
  • This visa is only valid for a period of 5 days.
  • You cannot revisit the country with the same visa after exiting Algeria.

Algeria Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

75.00 (USD)

Business visa

75.00 (USD)

Transit visa

75.00 (USD)

Algeria Visa Application Centres & Embassies in South Africa

Location

Address

Pretoria

950 Arcadia Street, Arcadia 0083, Pretoria, South Africa.

https://www.embassyofalgeria-rsa.org

deb_algerianemb@hotmail.com

(012) 342 5074, +27.12.342.5074

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it allowed to drink alcohol in Algeria?

No, you cannot drink alcohol in public places in Algeria.

What are the weather conditions in Algeria like?

The Sahara, which is the largest desert on Earth occupies 80% of Algeria. The climate of  the northern part of the country is subtropical Mediterranean while that of the central and southern parts is  tropical desert. The climate is however more comfortable on the Mediterranean coast as it consists  a moderately warm humid winter and a hot summer.

What languages are spoken in Algeria?

The two official languages in Algeria are Arabic and Berber but almost everyone in the country speak French. English is also spoken by a large number of people in Algeria. It is advised to learn basic French when going the country.


How safe is Algeria for travelers?

Except for some borders of Algeria, it is considered to be an averagely safe country. Although security alerts might not be as accurate as expected, there are certain measures put in place by the government to promote security.

Do tourists need guides?

Algeria tourists need guides and are not advised to walk around alone in the country. Police officers sometimes offer to be guides to tourists.