Planning a trip to India? First, you’ll need a visa. The good news is that South African passport holders can apply for an Indian e-Visa online, without visiting a consulate. Here’s how to apply for an India visa from South Africa, including the latest requirements, costs, processing times and documents you’ll need before you fly.
Do South Africans Need a Visa for India?
Yes. South African passport holders need a valid visa to enter India, whether they’re visiting for a holiday, business or medical treatment.
For most holidaymakers, the easiest option is the Indian e-Tourist Visa, which allows eligible travellers to apply online before departure.
There are two main ways to apply for an India visa from South Africa:
- e-Visa: Apply online through the official Indian government visa portal. Ideal for most tourists and short-term visitors.
- Regular visa: Complete an online application and submit the required documents through the relevant Indian High Commission or Consulate.
South Africans are not eligible for India’s visa-on-arrival facility, so you’ll need to have your visa approved before travelling.
Types of Indian Visas Available to South Africans
The right visa depends on why you’re travelling and how long you intend to stay.
| Visa type | Best for | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist Visa | Holidays, sightseeing and visiting friends or family | Online |
| e-Business Visa | Eligible business visits and meetings | Online |
| e-Medical Visa | Medical treatment in India | Online |
| e-Medical Attendant Visa | Accompanying someone receiving medical treatment | Online |
| e-Conference Visa | Eligible conferences and events | Online |
| Regular Visa | Travel requiring a visa category or arrangement unavailable through the e-Visa system | Online application followed by consular submission |
For a typical holiday to Mumbai, Delhi, Goa or elsewhere in India, the e-Tourist Visa is usually the simplest choice.
How Long Is an Indian Tourist Visa Valid?
India offers three main e-Tourist Visa options to eligible South African passport holders.
| Tourist e-Visa | Validity | Number of entries |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day e-Tourist Visa | 30 days from first arrival | Multiple |
| 1-year e-Tourist Visa | 365 days from ETA approval | Multiple |
| 5-year e-Tourist Visa | 5 years from ETA approval | Multiple |
Important: Visa validity and the amount of time you’re allowed to stay in India are different things.
For the 1-year and 5-year tourist e-Visas, the maximum permitted stay is 180 days in India per calendar year.
For the 30-day e-Tourist Visa, the 30-day validity period begins on your first arrival in India. Your first entry must fall within the arrival window shown on your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
Check your approved visa carefully before travelling, particularly if you’re planning a longer trip or multiple visits.
How to Apply for an Indian e-Visa from South Africa
Applying for an Indian tourist e-Visa is relatively straightforward. You can complete the process online without an appointment at an Indian consulate.
Step 1: Visit the Official Indian Visa Website
Head to the Indian Government e-Visa Portal.
Select the e-Visa application option and choose the visa category that matches your trip.
Watch out for fake visa websites. India’s consular authorities have warned travellers about unofficial websites that imitate the government portal and charge unnecessary fees.
Always check that you’re using the official indianvisaonline.gov.in website.
Step 2: Complete the Online Application
You’ll be asked to provide information including:
- Your full name and personal details
- Passport information
- Nationality and date of birth
- Contact details
- Proposed arrival date
- Purpose of your visit
- Details of your intended stay in India
- Previous travel and visa information, where applicable
Make sure your details match your passport exactly. Even a small mistake in your passport number, name or date of birth could cause problems with your application or travel.
Step 3: Upload Your Documents
For a standard tourist e-Visa, you’ll generally need:
1. A valid South African passport
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity when you apply for the e-Visa and at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
2. A digital passport photograph
The photograph must:
- Be in JPEG format
- Be between 10 KB and 1 MB
- Have equal height and width
- Show your full face against a plain light-coloured or white background
- Have no spectacles, shadows or borders
3. A scanned copy of your passport information page
The passport scan must:
- Be in PDF format
- Be between 10 KB and 300 KB
- Clearly display your photograph and personal details
Additional supporting documents may be required for other visa categories, such as business or medical visas.
Step 4: Pay Any Applicable Visa Fee
Once you’ve completed the application, follow the payment instructions displayed on the official website.
Visa fees depend on your nationality and the visa type selected. Some categories are issued free of charge to South African passport holders.
Check the current fee shown on the official portal before making any payment.
Step 5: Receive Your Electronic Travel Authorization
Once your application has been processed, you’ll receive an email notifying you of the decision.
You can also check your application through the visa status section of the official e-Visa website.
Do not travel until your ETA status shows “GRANTED”.
Download your approved ETA and keep a printed copy with your travel documents.
Step 6: Present Your Documents When You Arrive in India
On arrival, you’ll need to present your passport and approved ETA to immigration officials.
Your biometric information may be captured, and your e-Visa details will be verified.
Remember that Indian e-Visas are only accepted at designated airports and seaports. Check that your planned entry point is eligible before booking your route.
How Much Does an India Visa Cost for South Africans?
Here’s some good news: South African citizens benefit from special visa-fee arrangements with India.
According to the Indian Consulate’s published fee guidance, short-term visas with validity of up to 90 days are issued free of charge to South African nationals.
Longer-duration visas may attract fees.
The published consular fee schedule lists a charge of R485, including the Indian Community Welfare Fund fee, for certain longer-term regular tourist visas issued to South Africans.
However, e-Visa fee information and consular fee guidance are not entirely consistent across the official government websites. Travellers should therefore confirm the amount applicable to their selected e-Visa category directly on the online application portal.
Visit the official Indian visa website to confirm current fees.
Avoid third-party websites advertising unusually high application charges or guaranteed express approvals.
How Long Does an India e-Visa Take?
The Indian government requires eligible e-Visa applicants to apply at least four days before their intended arrival.
For the tourist e-Visa options, applications can be submitted up to 120 days before the proposed travel date.
Four days is the minimum advance application period, rather than a guaranteed processing time.
It’s sensible to apply well ahead of your departure date to allow for additional document requests, technical problems or processing delays.
You can monitor your application status through the official visa portal.
How to Apply for a Regular Indian Visa in South Africa
Not everyone will qualify for an e-Visa. If you need a regular visa, you’ll have to follow a different application process.
Regular visas may be required for employment, certain study programmes, journalism or other purposes not covered by India’s e-Visa arrangements.
Step 1: Complete the Online Visa Application
Visit Indian Visa Online and select the regular visa application option.
Complete the form and follow the instructions for your visa category.
Step 2: Prepare Your Supporting Documents
Regular visa requirements depend on the purpose of travel and the consulate handling your application.
You may need:
- A valid passport
- A completed and signed application form
- Passport photographs
- Proof of residence
- Financial documents
- Travel details
- Additional documents supporting your reason for visiting India
Always use the latest checklist provided by the relevant Indian consulate.
Step 3: Submit Your Application to the Correct Indian Consulate
Important change for 2026: VFS Global no longer handles Indian visa applications in South Africa under the previous arrangement.
The outsourced Indian consular application service ended in January 2026, with consular authorities taking over application services from February.
Applicants must follow the current submission procedures of the Indian mission responsible for their province.
| Indian consulate | Provinces served |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg | Gauteng, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga |
| Cape Town | Western Cape and Northern Cape |
| Durban | KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Eastern Cape |
For Cape Town applicants, the Consulate General of India accepts applications directly at:
Consulate General of India, Cape Town
34 Bree Street, The Terraces, 8th Floor, Cape Town, 8001.
Applications are submitted in person by online appointment.
Travellers applying through Johannesburg or Durban should check their respective consular websites for current appointment, submission and collection instructions.
Useful links:
Indian e-Visa vs Regular Tourist Visa: Which Should You Choose?
For most South Africans travelling to India on holiday, an e-Visa is the more convenient option.
| Feature | Indian e-Visa | Regular Indian Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Online | Online form and consular submission |
| Visit to consulate | Generally not required | Usually required |
| Tourist visa options | 30 days, 1 year or 5 years | Depends on visa granted |
| Approval | Electronic Travel Authorization | Visa issued through Indian mission |
| Entry points | Designated airports and seaports | Subject to visa and immigration rules |
| Best for | Eligible tourist and short-term visits | Applicants needing other visa arrangements |
If you’re travelling for tourism and meet the eligibility requirements, start by checking whether the e-Tourist Visa covers your plans.
New India Entry Requirement: The e-Arrival Card
Already have your visa? There’s one more thing to sort out before you travel.
India requires foreign travellers, including South African visitors, to complete an e-Arrival Card before entering the country.
The e-Arrival Card collects important information about your trip, including:
- Your passport details
- Purpose of travel
- Arrival date
- Address in India
- Contact information
- Recent travel history
You can complete the form online within 72 hours before arriving in India.
The service is free and is available through the official Indian e-Arrival Card portal.
Remember: The e-Arrival Card is separate from your Indian visa. Completing one does not replace the other.
Important Things to Know Before Travelling to India
Before you head to the airport, make sure you’ve covered the essentials.
Check Your Passport Validity
For an Indian e-Visa, your passport must have at least six months’ validity at the time of application and two blank pages.
The Indian Consulate’s regular visa guidance also specifies passport validity requirements measured from departure from India. Check the rules for your chosen visa type.
Have Proof of Your Return or Onward Journey
Indian e-Visa requirements state that travellers should have a return or onward travel ticket and sufficient money to cover their stay.
Keep your travel documents accessible in case you’re asked to present them.
Check Your Entry Airport
Not every Indian airport or seaport accepts arrivals on an e-Visa.
Make sure your arrival point is on the government’s approved list.
Check Vaccination Requirements if Travelling Through Other Countries
Travellers arriving in India after visiting certain yellow-fever-risk countries may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.
This is particularly important if your trip involves travel through other countries before arriving in India.
Don’t Overstay Your Visa
An Indian e-Visa is generally non-extendable and non-convertible.
Check your permitted stay carefully and make sure your return flight falls within the dates allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions About India Visas for South Africans
Is an India visa free for South Africans?
Certain Indian visas are free for South African passport holders, including short-term categories covered by the bilateral visa arrangements. Longer-duration visas may attract charges. Check the fee for your selected visa type through the official Indian government portal before applying.
Can South Africans get a visa on arrival in India?
No. South African passport holders do not qualify for India’s visa-on-arrival facility. You’ll need an approved e-Visa or regular visa before travelling.
Can I apply for an Indian visa online?
Yes. South African passport holders who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for an Indian e-Visa online. Regular visa applicants must also complete an online form, but additional consular submission requirements apply.
How long does it take to get an India visa from South Africa?
Indian e-Visa applications must be submitted at least four days before arrival. However, approval times can vary, and the four-day rule does not guarantee that your visa will be issued within four days. Apply early to avoid last-minute complications.
How long can South Africans stay in India on an e-Visa?
The 30-day e-Tourist Visa is valid for 30 days from first arrival. The 1-year and 5-year tourist e-Visas allow multiple entries, subject to a maximum total stay of 180 days in a calendar year.
Do children need an India visa?
Yes. Children travelling on South African passports require their own Indian visa. Each child must have a separate passport, and parents or guardians should check whether additional documents are required.
Can I apply for an India visa through VFS Global?
No. The former VFS Global Indian consular application services in South Africa ended in early 2026. Eligible travellers can apply for an e-Visa online, while regular visa applicants should follow the instructions from the appropriate Indian consulate.
Do I need an e-Arrival Card if I already have an Indian e-Visa?
Yes. The e-Arrival Card is a separate immigration requirement. Foreign travellers must complete it within 72 hours before arrival, even if their visa has already been approved.
Can I extend my Indian tourist e-Visa?
Indian e-Visas are generally non-extendable and non-convertible. If your plans involve a longer stay, check the appropriate visa category before applying.
What happens if my Indian visa application is rejected?
If your application is rejected, review the decision and contact the official Indian e-Visa support service or relevant consulate for guidance. Any applicable processing fees are generally non-refundable. You should not travel to India without the required visa approval.
Ready to Explore India?
From the Taj Mahal in Agra to the beaches of Goa and the busy streets of Mumbai, India gives you plenty of reasons to visit.
Now that you know how to apply for an India visa from South Africa, you’re one step closer to getting there. Sort out your visa, check your entry requirements and find your next flight.
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Disclaimer: Visa requirements, fees, processing times and entry conditions may change without notice. This guide was updated on 11 November 2026 and is intended for general information only. Travellers should verify all requirements directly with the Government of India or the relevant Indian consulate before making travel arrangements. Peaceway does not issue visas or guarantee visa approval.
