South Africa Visitor Visa Fee: The government visa fee is free for Indian nationals. However, applicants may need to pay the applicable VFS Global logistics/service charge and any optional courier or additional service fees. Fees are subject to change without prior notice.

South Africa Visitor Visa for Indian Citizens

Indian citizens travelling to South Africa for tourism, holidays, visiting family or friends, or other permitted short-term activities must obtain the appropriate visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling. A short-term visitor visa may allow a stay of up to 90 days, although the final permitted duration is determined by immigration officials at the South African port of entry.

South Africa Visa Type

Visa category: Short-Term Visitor Visa

Purpose: Tourism, holidays, visiting family or friends

Maximum stay: Up to 90 days

Visa format: Electronic Travel Authorisation/eVisa or visa processed through VFS Global, depending on the applicant’s eligibility and travel arrangements

Entry type: Single or multiple entry, as approved by South African immigration authorities

A visitor visa does not permit the traveller to undertake employment or paid work in South Africa. Separate authorisation is required for employment or short-term work activities.

How Indian Citizens Can Apply

Eligible Indian ordinary passport holders may apply through South Africa’s online Electronic Travel Authorisation portal. The online option is currently available to eligible applicants arriving through:

• O. R. Tambo International Airport
• Cape Town International Airport
• Lanseria International Airport

Applicants who are not eligible for the online route, who intend to enter through another port, or who are applying under another visa category may be required to submit their application through a South Africa Visa Application Centre operated by VFS Global. VFS Global is the official visa application partner of the South African High Commission in India.

Required Documents

Applicants may be required to provide the following documents:

1. Valid Indian passport
2. The passport must have sufficient validity beyond the intended departure date from South Africa and contain at least two unused visa pages.
3. Completed visa application
4. A completed online ETA application or the applicable South African visitor visa application form.
5. Recent photographs
6. Recent passport-size colour photographs meeting the prescribed specifications may be required for applications submitted through VFS.
7. Cover letter
8. A signed letter explaining:

• Purpose of travel
• Proposed travel dates
• Duration of stay
• Places to be visited
• Details of who will pay for the trip

1. Flight itinerary
2. Confirmed or provisional return or onward flight reservation.
3. Proof of accommodation
4. Hotel bookings covering the entire stay or an invitation letter from the host in South Africa.
5. Detailed travel itinerary
6. A day-by-day or general itinerary explaining the applicant’s planned activities in South Africa.
7. Proof of sufficient funds
8. Recent personal bank statements, normally covering at least the latest three months, showing that the applicant can pay for accommodation, transportation and daily expenses during the visit.
9. Employment or business documents

• Employment letter
• Approved leave letter
• Recent salary slips
• Employee identity card, where applicable

1. Self-employed applicants may provide:

• Business registration documents
• Company bank statements
• Income-tax documents
• GST registration or other business evidence

1. Proof of ties to India
2. Documents demonstrating that the applicant intends to return to India, such as employment, business ownership, property, family commitments or ongoing studies.
3. Previous passports and travel history
4. Copies of previous passports, visas and immigration stamps may be requested.
5. Yellow fever vaccination certificate
6. Required when the applicant is travelling from or has travelled through a yellow-fever-risk country, subject to the applicable transit exemption. Travellers flying directly from India normally do not require a yellow fever certificate unless their itinerary includes a yellow-fever-risk country.

The South African authorities may request additional documents depending on the applicant’s personal, financial and travel circumstances.

Visiting Family or Friends

Applicants staying with family members or friends in South Africa may need to provide:

• Signed invitation letter from the host
• Host’s full residential address and contact information
• Copy of the host’s South African identity document
• Copy of the host’s passport and valid residence visa, where the host is not a South African citizen
• Proof of the host’s residential address
• Sponsorship letter and financial documents, where the host is paying for the applicant’s expenses

The invitation letter should clearly state the applicant’s intended dates of stay and whether the host will provide accommodation or financial support.

Documents for Minor Applicants

Children travelling to South Africa should have their own passport and visa or ETA approval, where required.

Depending on whether the child is travelling with both parents, one parent, another adult or alone, additional documents may include:

• Birth certificate showing the parents’ details
• Copies of the parents’ passports
• Parental consent letter
• Court custody or guardianship order
• Death certificate of a deceased parent, where applicable
• Details and identification documents of the person receiving the child in South Africa

Both parents whose details appear on the birth certificate should normally consent to the child’s travel unless one parent has sole legal guardianship.

Application Process

Online ETA/eVisa Application

1. Confirm eligibility on the official South African ETA portal.
2. Create an online profile.
3. Scan or upload the passport.
4. Complete the online application.
5. Provide a live photograph or biometric selfie.
6. Upload the required supporting documents.
7. Pay the applicable government fee.
8. Submit the application.
9. Download the approval once issued.
10. Carry a printed or electronic copy while travelling.

VFS Application

1. Select the appropriate visitor visa category.
2. Complete the required visa application form.
3. Prepare all supporting documents.
4. Book an appointment with VFS Global.
5. Attend the Visa Application Centre.
6. Submit the application and passport.
7. Pay the applicable visa and VFS service charges.
8. Track the application.
9. Collect the passport after a decision has been made.

Applications submitted through VFS must normally be lodged at a South Africa Visa Application Centre rather than directly at the South African High Commission.

South Africa Visa Processing Time

Processing times vary depending on:

• Application method
• Visa Application Centre
• Travel season
• Completeness of documentation
• Verification requirements
• Additional checks by the Department of Home Affairs

Applicants should submit their applications well before their proposed departure date and should avoid purchasing non-refundable flight tickets until the visa or ETA has been approved.

South Africa Visa Fees

Government visa fees, ETA fees, VFS service charges and optional service charges may vary. Applicants should confirm the latest payable amount through the official South African ETA portal or VFS Global before submitting the application.

Visa, ETA and service fees may be non-refundable once paid, including when the application is refused or withdrawn.

Important Conditions

• Visa approval does not guarantee entry into South Africa.
• The traveller must satisfy the immigration officer at the port of entry.
• The passport, visa or ETA, return ticket, accommodation confirmation and proof of funds should be carried during travel.
• Visitors must not work or undertake unauthorised activities.
• Travellers must leave South Africa before their permitted stay expires.
• The validity period of an ETA and the number of days permitted in South Africa may be different.

The final length of stay is determined at the port of entry. Disclaimer

Visa requirements, government fees, processing procedures and permitted stay periods may change without prior notice.

Tripex is an independent visa facilitation service provider. Tripex is not affiliated with the Government of South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs, the South African High Commission or VFS Global. Tripex does not guarantee the approval of any visa application.

Government, embassy, ETA and Visa Application Centre fees are non-refundable once paid to the respective authority. The final decision to approve, refuse or request additional documents rests entirely with the relevant South African immigration authorities.

This can also be followed with a dedicated South Africa visa FAQ section covering yellow fever vaccination, bank balance, processing time, rejection and minor travellers.