How To Apply For A Visa To India From South Africa

[Updated 16 August 2018]

Ever dreamed of exploring the alluring and spiritually enriching land of India? Now you can explore vast India, with this step-by-step guide on how to apply for your Indian visa. Visa applications can be quite a stressful task resulting in overwhelming stress, so we’ve included everything you’ll need to know and do to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for the application process. Now all you’ll need to do is book your ticket and pack your bags!

South African passport holders do require a visa to travel to India. The Consulate General of India offers visas to South African passport holders in 10 categories. This article applies to the e-visa and Indian tourist visa. You can apply through Indian Visa Online or at a VFS Global Application Centre, located in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

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1. E-visa

The Indian e-visa is subdivided into three categories: e-tourist visa, e-business visa and e-medical visa. The e-visa is ideal for visitors who want to go to India for sightseeing, a casual visit to meet up with friends, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.

How long is the E-Visa valid for?

The e-visa is valid for 60 days from the date of arrival in India. The e-tourist visa and e-business permit double entry, while the e-medical visa permits triple entry. You are allowed to use the e-visa to a maximum of two times in a calendar year. When you arrive in India, you will need to present a print out of the Indian e-visa and your passport to the immigration authorities which will be stamped.

How to apply for an E-Visa?

Applicants must complete an online application on Indian Visa Online. You can apply a minimum of 4 days and a maximum of 120 days before your flight to India. No facilitation is required from any agents. Your biometrics will be captured at the airport in India.

2. Regular Visa

Tourist visa – The tourist visa is for travellers who want to go to India for holidays, visit monuments, meet friends or attend a wedding etc.

Business visa – For travellers who wish to go to India for business purposes.

How long is the Tourist Visa valid for?

Tourist visas are usually valid for up to six months. The validity of any Indian visa begins on the day it is issued by the High Commission of India and not on the date of departure. The High Commission of India will determine how long you are allowed to stay in India. The duration varies for each applicant. Applications for any Indian visa will not be accepted more than 30 days prior to departure.

How to Book an Appointment?

All Indian visa appointments must be scheduled on the VFS Global website.

Once you’ve scheduled an appointment, the earliest available date will be given to you.

What’s the Difference Between an E-Visa and Regular Tourist Visa?

The e-visa is much easier to apply for than a regular tourist visa and no costs are incurred with an e-visa. However, the e-visa is valid for a much shorter period of stay (60 days) whereas the regular tourist visa will afford you stays of up to six months. Deciding which Indian visa to apply for depends on how long you would like to visit India and your travel plans.

Travelstart Indian Visa

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Cost of the Indian Visa

E-visa

The e-visa is free of charge!

Regular Visa

Gratis visa: The bilateral agreement states that all types of visas should be issued free of charge to South African citizens.

The VFS Global service charge for handling your Indian visa application is R117.

Courier Service (Optional)

Same day dispatch on receipt of passport from the consulate to the farthest province – R50.

Next day dispatch on receipt of passport from the consulate to the farthest province – R36.

Payment does not guarantee an approved Indian visa application. Your application may be refused or modified by the High Commission of India. Your payment cannot be refunded, including in the event that your application has been refused or cancelled.

The only accepted payment methods are credit/debit card at the VFS Application Centre or deposit into the VFS Global bank account (keep your deposit slip as proof of payment).

VFS Bank Account Details:

Name of Bank:            Nedbank

Account Name:           VFS Visa Processing SA Pty Ltd

Account Number:       1012505804

Branch code:               198765

Use your passport number as the beneficiary reference number.

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Online Indian Visa Application

E-Visa

When you apply for an e-visa, your application will be processed and sent to you electronically via email. If you are granted access to India you will have to print out the e-visa and present it to the immigration officer at the point of arrival in the country.

Supporting Documents for Your Indian Visa Application

  • A recent photograph conforming to the Indian Visa Online guideline – photo must show full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles. The background should be plain light coloured or white background.
  • A scanned copy of your passport’s information page. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your stay in India.

Regular Indian Tourist Visa Requirements

VFS Global, the Indian Consulate’s visa handling agent in South Africa, says you should only finalise your travel arrangements to India after you have established the visa requirements.

  • Original passport – valid for a minimum of 6 months from date of return, and must have at least 3 blank pages for stamps.
  • Certified copy of your passport.
  • Two passport sized coloured photos – conforming to the Indian Government norms as per specifications.
  • Complete the Indian visa application form online or a paper application and submit to your closest VFS application centre.
  • Proof of residence in South Africa (utility bill, FICA document).
  • Three months bank statement of applicant with applicant’s name.
  • Applicants of Indian origin require proof of surrendered documentation (if previous nationality was Indian).
  • Original proof of payment of VFS charges.

If Applicant is a Minor

  • A signed consent letter from both parents authorising the minor to travel.
  • A certified copy of the Unabridged Birth Certificate.
  • Certified copies of parent’s IDs as proof of identification.

Get a free visa quote and evaluation with VisaBox – our go-to experts to assist you with your tourist visa application.

Travelstart Indian Visa

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Where to Apply?

E-Visa

E-visa applicants must apply via the official Indian Visa Online site. This simplified process allows you to complete the application as well as upload supporting documents to the site. You can check the status of your application through Indian Visa Online’s visa status enquiry. Your e-visa will be sent to your email. Print the e-visa and present it on arrival at the airport in India.

Regular Visa

All regular Indian visa applications, including the tourist visa, must be made at a VFS Application Centre. Applicants must attend in person for biometrics to be recorded.

Johannesburg

Address: Indian Visa and Consular Application Centre

 2nd Floor
Harrow Court 1
Isle of Houghton Office Park
Boundary Road
Park Town

Contact: 012 425 3007
Submission times: Monday-Friday: 08:00-04:00
Collection times: Monday-Friday: 11:00-16:00

There are taxis, cabs and buses available to transport you to the VFS Application Centre. Parking is available in front of the building.

Durban

Address: Indian Visa and Consular Application Centre

 Office 401
4th Floor
91-123 Cowey Office Park (Problem Mkhize Road)
Esssenwood

Telephone: 012 425 3007
Submission times: Monday-Friday: 08:00-04:00
Collection times: Monday-Friday: 11:00-16:00

Cabs, taxis and buses. There is a parking lot at the Cowey Office Park should you be travelling by car.

Cape Town

Address: Indian Visa and Consular Application Centre

1st Floor
47 Strand Street
Cape Town

Telephone: 012 425 3007
Submission times: Monday-Friday: 08:00-04:00
Collection times: Monday-Friday 11:00-16:00

Buses, cabs and taxis are available to transport you to the VFS Application Centre. There is street parking available in Long, Bree and Loop Streets.

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Where to Print Photos and Forms

Johannesburg

PostNet Parktown

Address: Cornet St. Davids’s Place & Wellington Road
Parktown
Contact: parktown@postnet.co.za
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 08:00-17:30
Saturday: 09:00-12:30

Durban

PostNet Cowey Park

Address: Shop 6
Cowey Park
Problem Mkhize Road
Morningside
Contact: musgravep@intekom.co.za
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 08:30 – 17:00
Saturday: 09:00-12:00

Cape Town

Computeria

Address: 206 Long Street
Contact: 021 426 5965
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: Open 24 hours
Travelstart Indian VIsa

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With this incredibly helpful guide to obtaining your Indian tourist visa, by now you should feel confident about the application process. Sign up to our newsletter and get the latest insider information on amazing flight specials.

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All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart is not affiliated to immigration authorities or their application centres and will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this volatile information.

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Our Readers Comments

  1. My wife and I are going to India on holiday in December. looking at the internet, there are so many different sites and different information. In your atricle you say the E Visa is free but every site I go to says you must pay as one of teh steps. Please advise as we are justgoing for 2 weeks as tourists??

    • Hi Ian,

      Thanks for getting in touch. I’ve checked on Travelinfo and they show the following:

      Indian e-Visa is free for South African passport holders. Biometrics will be done on arrival at the Airport in India.
      However please keep in mind visa information changes all the time.

      For the most up to date information on applying for a visa, costs etc please contact the Embassy direct:

      Consulate General of India (Johannesburg)
      Telephone No : 011 581 9800/ 9998

      High Commission of India (Pretoria)
      Telephone No : 012 342 5392/93/94/95

      Consulate General of India (Durban)
      Telephone No : 031 335 0325/26 or 031 335 0300

      Consulate General of India (Cape Town)
      Telephone No : 021 419 8110/021 419 8111

      Or the official visa handling agency, but there is a charge.

      VFS: India Visa Application Centre
      Telephone No : 012 425 3007

    • Hello Ian,

      Hope you are well?

      Did you manage to obtain visa? I’m pretty stressed about the process, will be traveling as tourist to India.

  2. Hi I’m an Indian citizen working on a cruise ship I have a girlfriend who works with me on the same ship and is from south Africa and she wants to come to india in May to stay with me what are the necessary documents that she would need from my end as she wants to be here in india for a months stay with me
    Kindly help as I have tried to search a lot

    • Hi Pravin,

      Thanks for reaching out. The following information is needed when applying for a visa. I would also recommend maybe giving her a letter of invitation so they can see where she will be staying in India. However visa rules and regulations can change at anytime so please contact the Embassy direct. As they are the ones granting the visa’s they will be able to provide you with the most up to date information.

      Tourist visa
      The following documents are required:
      Original Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from date of return and having at least 3 blank pages
      Click here to complete online visa application form submitted to correct Indian Mission
      2 passport size colour photos as per specification. For photo specifications click here
      Return airline reservation with detailed itinerary
      Certified copy of the passport
      Proof of residence in South Africa, such as utility bill/FICA document for South Africans and foreign nationals.
      3 months bank statement of applicant with applicants name
      Applicants of Indian Origin require proof of surrendered documentation (if previous nationality was Indian)
      Original proof of payment should be included and please mention the passport number as a reference to the payment

  3. Hi

    Thanks for all the information. I am trying to apply foe e-visa for india but the website keeps saying it’s unavailable. Is there another site I can go to as I’m travelling in 2 weeks time and I want to have visa by then.
    Also I’ve never had an issue with the site before so not sure what to do now

    • Hi Kate,

      Sorry to hear you struggling to apply for your e-visa.

      Applicants can apply for visas through VFS Global Center in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town http://www.vfsglobal.com/india/southafrica/

      Alternatively you welcome to contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency direct and they will be able to assist with any visa relate queries.

      Consulate General of India (Johannesburg)
      Telephone No : 011 581 9800/ 9998
      Fax No : 011 482 4648/ 8492
      Street Address : No 1 Eton Road Cnr. Jan Smuts Avenue & Eton Road, Parktown, 2193
      Postal Address : P.O. Box 6805 Johannesburg 2000
      Website : http://www.hcisouthafrica.in
      Email Address : vccons@indconjoburg.co.za

      High Commission of India (Pretoria)
      Telephone No : 012 342 5392/93/94/95
      Fax No : 012 342 5310
      Street Address : 852 Frances Baard St, Cnr Frances Baard & Eastwood Str, Arcadia
      Website : http://www.hcisouthafrica.in

      Consulate General of India (Durban)
      Telephone No : 031 335 0325/26 or 031 335 0300
      Street Address : 1 Kingsmead Boulevard (2nd Floor), Kingsmead Office Park, Durban, 4001
      Postal Address PO Box 3276, Durban, 4000
      Email Address : cpv@cgidbn.com
      Web Address : http://www.hcisouthafrica.in

      Consulate General of India (Cape Town)
      Telephone No : 021 419 8110/021 419 8111
      Street Address : The Terraces, 8th Floor, 34 Bree Str, Cape Town
      Email Address : admin@hcict.org.za
      Web Address : http://www.cgicapetown.in

      VFS: India Visa Application Centre
      Telephone No : 012 425 3007
      Website : http://www.vfsglobal.com/india/southafrica/
      Email Address : info.inza@vfshelpline.com
      Street Address (Jnb) : 2nd Floor, Harrow Court 1. Isle of Houghton Office Park, Boundary Road, Park Town, Johannesburg, 2198
      Street Address (Cpt) : 1st Floor, 47 Strand Street, Cape Town, 8001
      Street Address (Dur) : Office 401, 4th Floor, 91 – 123 Cowey Office Park, Cowey Road, Essenwood, Durban, 4001

  4. South Africans may apply for an EVisa online at NO charge. I’ve been doing this for the last 2yrs & have never waited longer than 24hrs. There are lots of bogus companies when you’re searching, the correct one is, indianvisaonline.gov.in , this is the OFFICIAL site. I was nearly caught the 1st time I applied for the EVisa, i realised this when i got a call to ask for payment & called the Indian Consulate in Cape Town they told me to be aware. I travel regularly to India & this is the best way to apply for a visa, all you need is a flight itinerary, passport & photo. India is great!

    • I just tried that – it costs USD49

    • Sorry – I selected org instead gov

    • Thank you this was so helpful, the others all ask for payment

  5. South Africans may apply for an EVisa online at NO charge. I’ve been doing this for the last 2yrs & have never waited longer than 24hrs. There are lots of bogus companies when you’re searching, the correct one is, indianvisaonline.gov.in , this is the OFFICIAL site. I was nearly caught the 1st time I applied for the EVisa, i realised this when i got a call to ask for payment & called the Indian Consulate in Cape Town they told me to be aware. I travel regularly to India & this is the best way to apply for a visa, all you need is an itinerary, passport & photo. India is great!

    • Good day,

      I have been checking flights to India, Goa (left it too late) they are astronomical. Getting back to the point… The flights have up to 6 hrs before the next connecting flight (jhb to Dehli) and a layover in Mumbai. My question is the transit visa to allow us out of the airport? How long will this take, what is the cost?

    • Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch.

      For this you would need to contact the Embassy direct. They will be able to provide you with the most up date information on correct procedures to follow, what documents would be required when applying, the cost and visa processing time.

  6. I need the format of Invitation Letter to be submitted for applying Visa for visit to India by a South African Professional…

    The visit for inspection for further business relations.

    • Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch.

      I’m afraid we are not able to assist with your request.

      Please contact the Embassy direct, they will be able to assist.

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