South Africa Visa for Indians 2026: Types, Fees and How to Apply

South Africa charges Indian nationals no visa fee for short trips, but it runs two parallel routes and a strict document check at VFS. This guide explains both routes, every visa type and fee, and which office handles your state, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Our South Africa visa hub for Indians has the quick summary.

ETA or VFS: which route should you use?

India was one of four pilot countries for South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), along with China, Indonesia and Mexico. It was officially launched on 12 August 2026.

• Online ETA (eta.dha.gov.za): issues a port of entry visa, usually within 24 hours, typically valid up to 6 months with multiple entries and up to 90 days per stay. Your ordinary passport must be valid at least 7 months from the travel date, and for now you must arrive at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka or Lanseria airport. The ETA fee is not stated on the official pages checked.
• VFS application: for long-term visas, for travellers entering through other ports, and for anyone refused an ETA.

There is no visa on arrival. Only Indian diplomatic, official and service passports are visa-exempt, for 90 days.

Which South African visa types can Indians apply for?

Training and conference visas are only for travellers not paid by an entity in South Africa. Paid work needs a work visa.

How much does a South Africa visa cost for Indians?

Optional extras are SMS updates (INR 55), courier assurance (INR 885) and the Premium Lounge (INR 2,000). VFS fees are non-refundable and charged per applicant, in cash or by card at submission. VFS also states on its study visa page that the visa fee is gratis for Indian nationals, which conflicts with the INR 2,342 in its fee table, so confirm at the counter.

Which office and VFS centre handle your state?

The Consulate General of South Africa in Mumbai covers Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka; residents submit at VFS Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bengaluru or Goa. The South African High Commission in New Delhi covers every other state and union territory; residents submit at VFS New Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur or Kolkata.

No appointment is needed: you attend a VFS centre during working hours. The High Commission does not accept visa applications directly, except for diplomatic and official passports.

What documents does VFS check for a tourist visa?

On the Mumbai Consulate's instructions, VFS accepts only applications that meet every checklist item. The holiday and family-visit list includes:

• A passport valid at least 30 days after you leave South Africa, with at least two blank visa pages; old passports are mandatory in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa and Bengaluru.
• Form 11 (DHA-84), filled in black ink and block letters and signed as in your passport.
• The last 3 months' original bank statement on bank letterhead, stamped and signed, with a balance of R 3000 or the equivalent in INR. Passbooks, e-statements and net-banking copies are refused.
• A verifiable hotel booking showing your name, passport number, dates, hotel address and contact details. Make sure any hotel reservation you submit shows all of these details and can be verified.
• A flight ticket or reservation, a day-to-day itinerary and an NOC for leave from your employer, school or university.
• Two photos, 35mm x 45mm, white background, not older than 30 days.
• A signed covering letter naming who bears the expenses, and a yellow fever certificate if you pass through the yellow fever belt.

In South and West India, a multiple-entry holiday visa needs a motivation letter, or VFS will not accept the file. You may be asked to appear in person at the High Commission or Consulate before a decision.

How long will it take, and what changed in 2026?

Short-term visas take a minimum of 5 working days at New Delhi and Mumbai and 7 at the other centres. Long-term visas take a minimum of 90 days from submission, research and remote work visas 60 working days (62 at other centres), and Trusted Employer Scheme applications 15–20 days.

• 12 August 2026: the ETA was officially launched; it will progressively become compulsory for short-stay visits from visa-required countries.
• 1 October 2026: the High Commission in New Delhi stopped requiring medical reports for long-term visas.
• 1 October 2026: children aged 18 or above can no longer apply as long-term dependants, except disabled children.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, day-to-day itineraries and cover letters for visa files. A flight reservation costs INR 1,000; reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter together cost INR 3,000. Reach us on WhatsApp at +91 95230 91018 or via the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can Indians get a South Africa visa on arrival?

No. Indian ordinary passport holders are not on South Africa's visa-exemption list and must hold a port of entry visa before travelling, either through the online ETA or a VFS application. Only diplomatic, official and service passports are exempt.

How much bank balance do I need for a South Africa tourist visa?

VFS asks for the last 3 months' original bank statement showing a balance of R 3000 or the equivalent in INR. The statement must be on bank letterhead, stamped and signed; passbooks and e-statements are not accepted.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate for South Africa?

Only if you are travelling through or staying in the yellow fever belt. In that case the vaccination certificate is part of the VFS checklist.

Can I work for a South African company on a remote work visa?

No. The remote work visa is for working remotely for a foreign employer and does not allow employment in South Africa. It needs a gross salary of at least the equivalent of R650,796 a year, shown by three months' bank statements.