The passport of South Africa is currently ranked as 99T, with a total score of 67.00. South Africa passport ranking relative to other global passports is calculated by relying on the South Africa government's approach not just to travel, but also to international taxation laws, global perception, dual citizenship, and personal freedom as just the number of countries South Africa passport holder may visit won't tell the whole story and you will have to deal with far different requirements to pay tax, live freely, comply with regulations, and avoid scrutiny when traveling.
Travel Destinations from South Africa 50% in total score
For the South Africa Travel score calculation, we relied on data from the IATA, Henley Index, and news sources to rank travel access. We calculate the Travel scores by summing up Visa-free, Visa On Arrival, and eTA countries. Based on that data, we assigned South Africa a Travel score of 112 as there are 61 countries that South Africa passport holders can enter without a visa (i.e. visa-free countries), 45 countries that allow South Africa passport holders to enter by obtaining a visa on arrival (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) and 6 electronic travel authorization (eTA) destinations. Altogether, South Africa passport holders can enter a total of 112 destinations — either without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or via an eTA. Separate from these 112 destinations, there are 138 additional destinations which South Africa passport holders either need a physical visa to enter or an eVisa.
Taxation in South Africa 20% in total score
For the South Africa Taxation score calculation, we relied on data from our network of tax vendors, news sources, and tax authorities themselves. We assigned the lowest score of 10 to countries that tax citizens no matter where they live, scores of 20 or 30 to countries that allow citizens to relocate to avoid tax, 40 to those that don’t tax foreign incomes of resident citizens, and 50 to countries with zero tax. Based on that data, we assigned South Africa a Taxation score of 10, meaning that South Africa tax citizens no matter where they live.
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For the South Africa Perception score calculation, we relied on the World Happiness Report, the Human Development Index, and subjective factors from our networks’ experiences to determine how each country’s citizens are received and recognized. We assigned the lowest score of 10 to those whose citizens are refused entry to a substantial number of countries and/or whose citizens encounter substantial hostility, scores of 20, 30, and 40 to countries whose citizens experience intermediate hostility, and 50 to countries ranked among the happiest in the world and whose citizens experience minimal hostility. Based on that data, we assigned South Africa a Perception score of 20, meaning that South Africa citizens experience intermediate hostility.
Dual Citizenship in South Africa 10% in total score
For the South Africa Dual Citizenship score calculation, we relied on embassy data and our experiences to assess the ability to hold dual citizenship, ranging from a score of 10 for strictly forbidden to a score of 50 for freely allowed. We assigned the score of 10 and 20 to countries whose citizens are strictly forbidden to hold other citizenships, scores of 30 and 40 to countries whose citizens are often allowed to hold other citizenships but with certain restrictions, and 50 to countries whose citizens are almost always allowed to hold other citizenships. Based on that data, we assigned South Africa a Dual Citizenship score of 50, meaning that South Africa citizens are almost always allowed to hold other citizenships.
Freedom in South Africa 10% in total score
For the South Africa Freedom score calculation, we relied on data and news reports on mandatory military service, government surveillance, press freedom, and other factors to determine the personal freedom of citizens, travelers, and expats, with scores from 10 being the least free and 50 being the freest. We assigned the scores of 10 and 20 to countries whose citizens have low freedom, scores of 30 and 40 to countries whose citizens have intermediate freedom, and 50 to countries whose citizens have total freedom. Based on that data, we assigned South Africa a Freedom score of 20, meaning that South Africa citizens have low freedom.