# South Africa Visa Fees for Indians in 2026 (INR, VFS Charges Included) > Short-term South African visas are free for Indian nationals, but VFS logistic and convenience fees still apply. Here is every charge in INR, centre by centre, plus long-term visa fees and the new ETA. _Published: 2026-10-23 · Reading time: 5 min · Words: 1079_ ## TL;DR South Africa charges Indian nationals no visa fee for short-term visas, including tourist and transit visas. You still pay VFS a logistic fee of INR 2040 in New Delhi and Mumbai or INR 2301 at other centres, plus an INR 160 convenience fee. Long-term visas cost INR 2342 or INR 8375 depending on category. ## Key takeaways - Short-term visas, including holiday, business meeting and transit, are gratis for Indian nationals. - VFS logistic fee: INR 2040 in New Delhi and Mumbai; INR 2301 in Gurugram, Jaipur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa and Bengaluru. - An INR 160 convenience fee applies for all payment modes, including cash. - Work, business and critical skills visas cost INR 8375; study, relative, retired-person and similar long-term visas INR 2342. - VFS charges are non-refundable and paid per applicant at submission. **According to VFS Global, which handles South Africa visas for the High Commission in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai, short-term visas are gratis for Indian nationals. You still pay a VFS logistic fee of INR 2040 in New Delhi and Mumbai or INR 2301 at other centres, plus an INR 160 convenience fee.** ## Article All amounts below are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For documents and the application process, read our South Africa visa guide for Indians. ### Do Indians pay a South Africa visa fee in 2026? Not for short stays. The VFS South Africa India visa-type pages list every short-term category as 'Gratis for Indian Nationals', while other foreign nationals pay INR 2342. That covers holiday, visiting family or friends and sports events, business meetings, training, conferences, short-term projects, medical visits to private hospitals, academic sabbaticals, film work and transit. Indian ordinary passport holders still need a visa. The Department of Home Affairs' exemption schedule issued on 9 December 2025 exempts only Indian diplomatic, official and service passports. So a free visa is not the same as visa-free travel: you apply and pay VFS charges, but no government visa fee. ### What does VFS charge at each centre? The VFS logistic fee depends on where you submit, and it is charged per applicant. No appointment is needed; you attend a centre to submit. VFS centreShort-term visa feeVFS logistic feeConvenience feeMinimum processingNew DelhiGratisINR 2040INR 16005 working daysMumbaiGratisINR 2040INR 16005 working daysGurugramGratisINR 2301INR 16007 working daysJaipurGratisINR 2301INR 16007 working daysKolkataGratisINR 2301INR 16007 working daysAhmedabadGratisINR 2301INR 16007 working daysPuneGratisINR 2301INR 16007 working daysGoaGratisINR 2301INR 16007 working daysBengaluruGratisINR 2301INR 16007 working daysThe logistic fee is inclusive of all taxes. The convenience fee applies to every payment mode, cash included. Your centre also tells you which office decides the file. The South African High Commission in New Delhi handles North and East India through the New Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur and Kolkata centres. The Consulate General in Mumbai handles Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka through the Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bengaluru and Goa centres. ### Which long-term South Africa visas carry a fee? CategoryVisa fee for Indian nationalsMinimum processingStudy, Treaty, Medical Treatment, Relative, Exchange, Retired Person, Remote Work, Volunteer/Charity WorkINR 234290 days from submission (Research and Remote Work: 60 working days in New Delhi and Mumbai, 62 elsewhere)Business visa, General Work, Critical Skill, Intra Company Transfer, Corporate Work (including Trusted Employer Scheme categories)INR 837590 days from submission; Trusted Employer Scheme 15-20 daysResearch WorkGratis under the short-term category; INR 2342 under the long-term category60 working days in New Delhi and Mumbai, 62 elsewhereDependant visa (accompanying spouse and children)GratisLong-term processingVFS also states on its study visa page that the visa fee is gratis for all Indian nationals, which conflicts with the INR 2342 in the fee table. Check the amount with VFS before you pay. The Relative visa is free for the spouse or dependent child of a South African citizen or permanent resident, while other relatives pay. The VFS logistic and convenience fees apply to long-term visas as well. ### What optional VFS services cost extra? - SMS updates: INR 55 per application - Courier assurance: INR 885 - Premium Lounge: INR 2000 None of these is required. You can track your application online free through the VFS 'Track your application' page; the INR 55 SMS service is only for passport tracking alerts. ### How do you pay, and can you get a refund? The visa fee, where one applies, and the logistic fee are charged per applicant and paid at submission in cash or by card. VFS charges are non-refundable. Because VFS accepts only applications that fulfil all checklist documents, as instructed by the Consulate in Mumbai, an incomplete file means returning with the missing papers during operational hours, so check everything before you go. ### Does South Africa's new ETA cost anything? South Africa officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation at eta.dha.gov.za on 12 August 2026, after a pilot that included India. For visa-required travellers it issues a port of entry visa, usually within 24 hours. The ETA application fee is not stated on the ETA site or in the Department of Home Affairs statements read, so check the payment screen before submitting. The ETA needs an ordinary passport valid at least 7 months from the travel date and currently works only for arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka or Lanseria airports. If it is refused, you apply through VFS. ### What else should you budget for? - Funds in the bank: the last 3 months' original bank statement must show a balance of R 3000 or the equivalent in INR. This is proof of funds, not a fee. - Photos: two photographs, 35mm x 45mm, white background, not older than 30 days. - Notarisation and translation: government documents must be notary attested, and regional-language documents officially translated into English. - Yellow fever vaccination certificate: only if you travel through or stay in the yellow fever belt. - Long-term applicants: police clearance certificates for applicants aged 18 and over, from the Regional Passport Office for India. Since 1 October 2026 the High Commission in New Delhi no longer requires medical reports for long-term categories. Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or talk to us. ### Frequently asked questions #### Is the South Africa tourist visa free for Indians? The visa fee is gratis for Indian nationals for all short-term categories, including holiday visits. You still pay the VFS logistic fee of INR 2040 or INR 2301 and the INR 160 convenience fee. #### Do I need a VFS appointment for a South Africa visa? No. VFS India says no appointment is needed; you attend a visa application centre during operational hours to submit a complete application. #### How much is the South Africa work visa fee for Indians? General Work, Critical Skill, Intra Company Transfer, Corporate Work and Business visas cost INR 8375, including Trusted Employer Scheme categories. VFS logistic and convenience fees are charged on top. #### How long does a South Africa visa take after paying? Short-term visas take a minimum of 05 working days in New Delhi and Mumbai and 07 working days at other centres. Most long-term visas take a minimum of 90 days from submission. ## FAQ ### Is the South Africa tourist visa free for Indians? The visa fee is gratis for Indian nationals for all short-term categories, including holiday visits. You still pay the VFS logistic fee of INR 2040 or INR 2301 and the INR 160 convenience fee. ### Do I need a VFS appointment for a South Africa visa? No. VFS India says no appointment is needed; you attend a visa application centre during operational hours to submit a complete application. ### How much is the South Africa work visa fee for Indians? General Work, Critical Skill, Intra Company Transfer, Corporate Work and Business visas cost INR 8375, including Trusted Employer Scheme categories. VFS logistic and convenience fees are charged on top. ### How long does a South Africa visa take after paying? Short-term visas take a minimum of 05 working days in New Delhi and Mumbai and 07 working days at other centres. Most long-term visas take a minimum of 90 days from submission. ## Sources 1. [VFS South Africa India - Visa Types (all tabs)](https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/zaf/visa-type) — VFS Global 2. [VFS Global - Apply for visa to South Africa in India (checklists, jurisdiction)](https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/southafrica/india/english/index.html) — VFS Global 3. [Department of Home Affairs - Countries exempt from South African visas (issued 9 December 2025)](https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries) — Department of Home Affairs, South Africa 4. [South African ETA - official application site (who can apply)](https://eta.dha.gov.za/) — Department of Home Affairs, South Africa