Even though you will not leave the airport, you still need permission to stay in the terminal during the layover. Travelers using land ports of entry to transit through South Africa will have to apply for a port of entry visa.

In 2026, whether you need a transit visa for South Africa depends heavily on your nationality and the specific airport you are transiting through. Generally, travelers transiting through OR Tambo International (JNB), Cape Town International (CPT), King Shaka (DUR), and Lanseria (HLA) are exempt from transit visas, provided they stay in the international transit area and undergo biometric capturing. However, this exemption does not apply to all; notably, citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh are currently required to hold a transit visa even for airside transfers. Furthermore, if you are transiting through a land port of entry or if your journey requires you to clear immigration (to change terminals or collect bags not checked through), you must obtain a formal Port of Entry Visa. It is a high-value peer tip to verify your specific requirements on the South African Department of Home Affairs website, as arriving without a required visa will lead to immediate deportation to your country of origin.