South Africans can now travel to 107 countries without a visa, following the addition of Saudi Arabia to the list earlier this year.
Japan has now surpassed Germany, Italy, and Spain to become the world’s second most powerful passport, with visa-free access to 191 countries.
South Africa now ranks 54th in the world for passport power, down from 52nd last year.
However, the cost of acquiring a South African passport has increased by 50% to between R200 and R600, with a larger passport for frequent travelers costing R1,200.
The Minister of Home Affairs has justified the fee hike by citing the rising costs of issuing passports and the need to protect the integrity of the document.
Even with the increase, South African passport fees remain lower than those of many other countries.
South Africa visa-free list, New visa-free destination South Africa, South Africa travel update, South Africa visa waiver addition, South Africa passport privileges