Indian Visa for South African Citizens

Updated on Jul 29, 2024 | Indian e-Visa

South African citizens who are planning a trip to India can apply for the Indian eVisa which was introduced by the Indian government in November 2014. This facility made applying for a visa easy and convenient for the foreign travelers.

Since then, entry into India has become hassle-free for the foreign travelers. The main aim of the eVisa was to increase the number of tourists in India and in doing so it introduced the eVisa providing them a easy and convenient Indian eVisa application process.

Around 170 countries are eligible for the Indian e-visa, including South Africa. South African citizens who are planning a visit to India should apply for this authorized visa online, without the need to visit the Indian Embassy.

The government of India wants foreign travelers to apply for the Indian Visa Online for visiting India for faster application. For example, foreign travelers planning a trip to India for commercial purposes or business purposes like attending events and trade fairs, supervising in a project should apply for the Indian Business Visa Online.

If foreign travelers have to visit India for medical treatment or consulting a doctor they should apply for Indian Medical Visa Online.For exploring the sightseeing places in India or visiting friends and family, foreign travelers should apply for the Indian Tourist Visa Online.

Instructions for the South African Citizens visiting India, which eVisa is required?

In order to make visa application easy, the government of India has divided the eVisas into different types, contingent upon the purpose of your visit you can apply for any one of the eVisa.

Indian eTourist visa

It is appropriate to apply for this visa if visiting for tourism reasons like exploring the sightseeing places in India, engaging in recreation activities and visiting friends and family members.

Indian eBusiness visa

This visa is necessary for those visiting India for business activities like attending events, seminare, exhibitions, trade fairs, opening of a new branch, etc.

Indian eMedical visa

Those seeking medical treatment or have to consult a doctor in India can apply for this visa.

Indian eMedical Attendant Visa

Travelers who are traveling India with the patient can opt for the Indian eMedical Attendant Visa

Indian e-Conference visa

The citizens are allowed to apply for an Indian e-Conference visa for being a part of international conferences in India.

South African citizens planning a trip to India should carefully review what requirements they have and what type of visa they should apply.

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The government of India has made some major changes in its visa policy from September 2019. The visa-types available to the foreign travelers are vast and confusing as there are many options available for the same reason. Check What Types of Indian Visa are available, so that you have a clear understanding as to which type to apply for.

Applying for the Indian Visa? Must-have Documents for South African Citizens

Here is the list of the necessary documents that the South African citizens must possess in order to be eligible to apply for the Indian eVisa.

  • Valid South Africa passport (scanned copy of the first page i.e. the biographical page of the passport).
  • Valid email address, for eVisa updates and for receiving the approved eVisa
  • For on-arrival stamps on the passport, keep blank pages
  • Passport size-photo (scanned copy of the photo, completing adhering to the instructions set the government of India)
  • Return-ticket
  • Proof of fund availability for your stay
  • Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever

Note:

South African citizens are required to provide the Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, the latest one, in case they have traveled through or visited a yellow fever risk country.

Also, provide additional documents based on the visa-type applied.

Diplomatic/official passport holders are not allowed to apply for eVisa, in case they want to visit India for tourism, business or medical reasons, they have to apply through their regular passport.

With the eVisa, foreign travelers can enter India through designated authorized airports and seaports.

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Based on the purpose of travel to India, the eVisa are divided into different categories and have their own specific requirements. If you want to know the Indian Visa Requirements, on the basis of each visa type, check this link.

South African Citizens Applying for the Indian eVisa, what is the Time-Taken to Process?

The time-taken to process the Indian eVisa is around 2-4 working days, the processing time varies from application to application. To receive the eVisa on-time, the applicant must make sure that you have filled all the details in the form, provided correct information and genuine documents.

Falling to provide the same, may sometimes lead to delays and even rejections. So it is advised to apply in advance to avoid unwanted issues. The government of India allows applicants to apply for eVisa 120 days (4 months) in advance, this is an opportunity for the foreign travelers to avoid any last minute rush.

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In order to apply for the Indian eVisa, applicants must have all the supporting documents, apart from the common ones. These additional documents depend on the visa-type you are applying for. In case you want to know about the Documents required for Indian Online Visa (Indian eVisa), check this link to avoid any errors while filling the form.

Application for Indian eVisa for South African Citizens: How to complete the form?

To make things easy for the foreign travelers, the eVisa online application form has been made simple and convenient. It will take around 20-30 minutes to complete the details in the form, here have a look at the steps before you go forwards with it:

Step 1: Applicants need to enter full name, surname,citizenship, date of birth, place of birth, email address, mobile number, residence address.

Step 2: Fill passport number, issuing country and passport issuing and expiry date.

Step 3: Additional details like your gender, marital status, identification mark, religion, qualification, occupation.

Step 4: Travel plans like accommodation and places you will be visiting .

Step 5: Port from which you are entering India and exiting.

Step 6: In case you have visited any countries in the past

Step 7: Fill important security questions like any serious health issues, any crime committed in the past, etc.

Step 8: Review the form, check if you have filled all the questions and answered correctly.

Step 9: When done reviewing, finally pay the fees.

Step 10: Wait for Approval, which takes 2-4 working days

Step 11: Applicant will receive the eVisa by mail.

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The Indian eVisa was introduced from November 2014, to make visa applications for short-visits online. With this facility many foreign travelers have been able to visit India. In order to know about the Indian Visa Application Process in detail, you should check this link for clarification.

Explore the Beauty of South Africa: popularly called the Rainbow Nation

South Africa is located at the southernmost tip of Africa, and famous for its natural wonders, breathtakingly beautiful winelands, wildlife, history, culture and traditions. The main cities of South Africa include Cape Town (which is the legislative capital), Johannesburg (which is the main commercial center), Bloemfontein (which is the judicial capital), Pretoria (which is the administrative capital) and Durban.

Cape Town is one of the most fascinating destinations to visit in South Africa, as it is located in a peninsula beneath the Table Mountain (a popular tourist attraction site). Tourists can visit Table Mountain by enjoying a simple trek to the mountain top or by taking the cable car ride. Both offer a unique experience. Other spectacular places to visit in Cape Town include Flying Dutchman Funicular, Kirstenbosch, Groot Constantia, Robben Island Museum, and V&A Waterfront.

Johannesburg is a metropolitan city, the financial hub of South Africa. It is designated as a wealthy city and known as the city of gold mines. Some of the important places to visit in Johannesburg include Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City, Constitution Hill, Mandela Museum, Lion Park, etc.

Not to forget the most exotic wildlife safaris in South Africa. As it is rich in varied species of flora and fauna, it is home to some of the most famous wildlife safaris like the Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, etc. The wildlife in South Africa comprises the Big 5 and other rare species of animals and birds.

South Africa has ample things to offer to its visitors, do visit the enchanting nation to have an experience of the best.

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Foreign travelers planning a visit to India should definitely explore the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of India. In case you are visiting India, then you should definitely go for a wildlife safari, here is the Indian Visa Tourist guide-Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks.


Citizens of many countries including Angola, Bolivia, Germany, Philippines, Denmark, Malaysia, Vietnam are eligible for eVisa India.