Last updated: 24 Oct 2025
Yemen
About
| Yemen has established itself as a tourist destination, attracting travellers with its striking scenery and spectacular Islamic and pre-Islamic architecture. Yemen boasts hugely varied landscapes, from magnificent mountains to lush fruit-growing valleys to semi-arid plains and wide sandy beaches. The towns and cities hide souks and spice markets, mosques and ancient city walls. Lounge on several superb beaches fringing the Indian Ocean at Little Aden, situated in the crater of an extinct volcano; this is an area of small fishing villages in sheltered bays. Walk amongst Yemen’s early crops of grapes in the strikingly fertile Sad'ah Basin. Dive in the balmy Red and Arabian seas, or take to the water for a spot of sailing. See the Great Mosque of Sana'a, the oldest and largest of the mosques in Sana'a and one of the oldest in the Muslim world |
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| Native Name: | Al Yama |
| Capital: | Sana’a (SAH) |
| Currency: | Yemeni Riyal (YER) (US Dollars are widely accepted by hotels and shops which cater to tourists. |
| Language: | Arabic. English is understood in the tourist areas. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 967 |
| Time Zones: | UTC/GMT +3 hours (1 hour ahead of South Africa) |
| Best Time to Go: | Mar – April and Sept – Oct (just after the rainy season) |
| Best For: | UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Historical sites |
| Plugs: | 220/230 volts AC, 50Hz. Flat two-pin, round three-pin and square three-pin plugs are used. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available. Milk is unpasteurised. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. |
| Customs: | As a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and leg covered. Public displays of affection should be avoided. Visitors may drink alcohol, but this should not be done in public (Only hotels serve alcohol). Respect to religious customs should also be shown during the month of Ramadan. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Do not take photographs of women or military personnel and installations. Alcohol may not be drunk in public. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Credit cards are not widely accepted outside of hotels. There are very few ATM’s in the country. Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. Weekends are Thursdays and Fridays. |
| Prohibited Imports: | There are no restrictions on how much currency you bring in. Firearms, narcotics, obscene literature and pornographic materials are banned. There is also an official ban on all products of Israeli origin. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Yemen
227 Murray Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Tel: 012 346 0858
E-mail: yemen.embassy.pta@gmail.com
Web: www.yemenembassypretoria.com
Consular hours: Mon - Fri 08h00-15h00
Public Holidays 2025: Mar 29-31; Apr 1; May 1, 22; Jun 6-10, 27; Sep 26, 28; Oct 14; Nov 30
Public Holidays 2026: Mar 18-22; May 1-2, 22, 24, 26-30; Jun 17; Sep 26; Oct 14; Nov 30
Visa Requirements
S.A. passport holders do need visas.
Entry visas are issued by the Embassy in Pretoria.
Once passenger is IN Yemen, they can apply for the relevant visa. In their application, however, they must indicate which type of visa they are applying for and MUST produce the necessary documents.
WARNING: Travellers with Israeli stamps in their passports will not be granted entry into Yemen.
- An invitation letter must be presented from an institution like a University, Company or Government Agency via the Consular services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yemen (Compulsory.)
- One visa application form (make sure it is signed)
- A valid passport for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry into the country. Ensure there are at least 3 blank pages in the passport.
- Two colour passport photos - attached to the application.
- Copy of return ticket
- Tourists are to get in touch with a tourist agency in Yemen in order for them to get an invitation letter (Compulsory)
- Letter from applicants Company confirming employment & purpose of trip.
- Proof of payment
- Medical certificate confirming HIV and Hepatitis A & B status
Visa Processing Time
2-3 working days if all the paper work is correct.
Visa Validity
No multiple entry visas are issued.
SA Representative
Accredited to Saudi Arabia.
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
