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Palau Visa for South Africa Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

South African citizens receive a visa on arrival in Palau, valid for 30 days, by presenting a passport and onward ticket at the port of entry — no advance application required.

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 planned departure from Palau
  • Confirmed onward or return flight ticket, checked on arrival
  • Proof of accommodation for your stay (hotel booking)
  • Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee / Palau Pledge, an electronic entry requirement completed online before arrival, which includes an environmental levy stamped into your passport
  • No advance visa application form is needed; the visa on arrival is granted at immigration based on your passport and documents
  • No biometrics collected beyond a standard immigration photo/fingerprint scan at some ports
  • Travel health insurance recommended given Palau's remote location and limited medical facilities

Visa types

  • Tourist visa on arrival: single entry, 30 days validity, no fee charged separately from the Palau Pledge/environmental fee
  • Extension permit: available for longer stays, applied for at the Bureau of Immigration in Koror before the initial 30 days expire
  • Business visitor entry uses the same on-arrival process, with visa status adjusted if longer-term work is intended
  • There is no separate multiple-entry on-arrival category; re-entry requires a fresh arrival process each time

Visa on arrival

  • Complete the Palau Pledge (environmental commitment) online before departure, as airlines may require proof of this before boarding
  • On arrival at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, present your passport, onward ticket and accommodation details to immigration
  • Immigration stamps your passport with a 30-day permitted stay; no separate visa fee is charged beyond the Palau Pledge/environmental fee (approximately USD 100, often bundled into airport taxes or collected separately)
  • Processing at the airport counter is generally quick, often under 20-30 minutes
  • Keep your boarding pass and any Palau Pledge confirmation accessible for the immigration check

Fees & processing time

  • No separate visa-on-arrival fee; the main cost is the Palau Pledge/environmental green fee of approximately USD 100
  • No advance online visa processing time, as entry is handled entirely at the airport
  • Extensions at the Bureau of Immigration typically cost USD 50-100 depending on the additional days requested, processed within a few days
  • No express visa service applicable, since there is no pre-arrival visa process to expedite
  • Total estimated cost on entry: USD 100-120 (~R1,800-R2,200) including the Palau Pledge

Tips for South Africa travelers

  • Complete the Palau Pledge online before your flight, as some airlines check for this at check-in
  • Carry US dollars in cash, as this is the local currency and card facilities can be limited outside main hotels
  • Respect Palau's strict environmental regulations (reef-safe sunscreen requirements, protected marine areas) given the destination's conservation focus
  • Flight connections to Palau are limited, often routing through Guam, Manila or Taiwan — plan onward tickets accordingly
  • If you wish to extend beyond 30 days, start the extension process at the Bureau of Immigration in Koror at least a week before your permit expires

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.