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🇿🇦South Africa
🇮🇳IndiaZA-IN

South Africa to India visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders need an e-Tourist Visa (e-Visa) for India, applied for online before travel. The 30-day double-entry e-Visa is free; 1-year and 5-year multiple-entry options cost US$25. South Africa is on India's e-Tourist Visa eligible list, so ordinary passport holders cannot enter visa-free or get a visa on arrival - they must apply online via the official Indian Visa Online portal before departure. There are three categories: a 30-day double-entry visa (free of visa fee for South Africans), a 1-year multiple-entry visa (US$25), and a 5-year multiple-entry visa (US$25). For the 1-year and 5-year visas, total stay must not exceed 180 days per calendar year. A bank transaction surcharge of about 3% (card) or 4% (PayPal) is added at payment. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 4 days before arrival (up to 30 days ahead for the 30-day visa, 120 days for longer ones), and approval normally arrives by email within about 72 hours. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and have at least two blank pages. Entry on an e-Visa is permitted only through designated airports and seaports.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
e-Tourist Visa (e-Visa)
Maximum stay
30 days (double entry) / up to 180 days per calendar year on 1- or 5-year visa
per entry
Entries
Double (30-day) or Multiple (1-year, 5-year)
from issue date
Visa fee
US$0 (30-day) / US$25 (1-year & 5-year) + ~3-4% bank charge
consular fee only
Processing time
About 72 hours (apply min. 4 days before arrival)
standard track
Validity
30 days from first arrival / 1 or 5 years from date of ETA grant
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm eligibility and gather documents
Verify your South African ordinary passport has at least 6 months validity from arrival and 2 blank pages. Prepare a color scan of the passport bio page (PDF, 10 KB-300 KB) and a recent front-facing photo with white background (JPEG, 10 KB-1 MB).
· Passport bio page· Digital photo
/02
Apply on the official portal
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in, select e-Tourist Visa, choose your category (30-day, 1-year or 5-year), and complete the online application form with your travel and accommodation details.
· indianvisaonline.gov.in· Apply min. 4 days before arrival
/03
Upload documents and pay
Upload your passport scan and photo, then pay the visa fee (US$0 for 30-day; US$25 for 1- or 5-year) plus the ~3-4% bank surcharge by credit/debit card or PayPal.
· Card or PayPal· +3% card / +4% PayPal
/04
Receive the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Wait for processing (normally about 72 hours). The approved ETA is sent to you by email. Print a copy to carry with you.
· By email· ~72 hours
/05
Travel and enter at a designated port
Arrive at one of the designated e-Visa airports or seaports. Present the printed ETA and your passport at immigration, where biometrics are taken and the e-Visa is stamped.
· Designated airports/seaports· Biometrics on arrival
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
South Africa -> India · e-Tourist Visa (e-Visa)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredSouth African ordinary passport valid 6+ months from arrival
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least 2 blank passport pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredColor scan of passport bio page (PDF, 10-300 KB)
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredRecent digital photo, white background (JPEG, 10 KB-1 MB)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredCredit/debit card or PayPal for fee payment
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedReturn or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedProof of accommodation / host address in India
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredPrinted copy of the approved ETA email
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesIndian Visa Online (Bureau of Immigration) - e-Tourist Visa portalConsulate General of India, Cape Town - Visa FeeHigh Commission of India, Pretoria - General Visa Requirements
Application link included: Indian Visa Online (Bureau of Immigration) - e-Tourist Visa portal
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
30-day e-Tourist Visa (double entry)US$0Visa fee waived for South African nationals
1-year e-Tourist Visa (multiple entry)US$25Max 180 days per calendar year
5-year e-Tourist Visa (multiple entry)US$25Max 180 days per calendar year
Bank transaction surcharge~3-4%3% on card payments, 4% via PayPal
Total estimateUS$0 — US$26incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard e-Visa processing
About 72 hours
Normal online processing time; apply a minimum of 4 days before arrival to allow for delays or requests for additional documents.
Early submission (buffer)
Up to 30-120 days ahead
The 30-day visa can be applied for up to 30 days before travel; 1- and 5-year visas up to 120 days ahead. Applying early avoids last-minute issues.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
South Africa is on the e-Visa eligible list
India offers the e-Tourist Visa to South African nationals, so they apply online rather than visiting a mission for a regular visa.
High
/02
No visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry
South African ordinary passport holders cannot enter India without a visa or obtain one purely on arrival; the e-Visa must be approved before boarding.
High
/03
Fee waived for the 30-day visa
South Africa benefits from a US$0 visa fee on the 30-day double-entry category, with only the small bank surcharge applying.
Medium
/04
180-day annual cap on longer visas
The 1-year and 5-year multiple-entry visas limit total stay to 180 days per calendar year.
Medium
/05
Entry only at designated ports
e-Visa holders must enter through specified airports or seaports, not at land borders.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
South Africa to India route verified
Confirmed against the official Indian Visa Online portal and Consulate General of India (Cape Town) that South African ordinary passport holders are eligible for the e-Tourist Visa: 30-day visa free, 1-year and 5-year visas US$25, ~3-4% bank surcharge, 180-day annual cap on longer visas, apply min. 4 days before arrival.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can South Africans get a visa on arrival in India?—
No. There is no visa on arrival for South African tourists. You must apply for the e-Tourist Visa online and receive approval (the ETA) before you travel.
How much does the India tourist e-Visa cost for South Africans?+
How long can I stay in India on the e-Tourist Visa?+
How early should I apply?+
Can I enter India by land with an e-Visa?+
What passport validity is required?+
/11 — Passport tools

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