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Visa guide · Indian passport holders

South Africa visa for Indian citizens

Applies via: VFS GlobalSources checked on

Indian citizens apply for a South Africa visa through VFS Global. The published fee for Short term visas (all short-term categories incl. Transit) is Gratis for Indian Nationals. Processing time (Short term visas (New Delhi, Mumbai)): Minimum 05 working days. Application locations listed include New Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur, Kolkata and Mumbai (4 more listed below). Sources checked on October 10, 2026.

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South Africa visa for Indians — key facts

Visa fee
Gratis for Indian NationalsShort term visas (all short-term categories incl. Transit)
Processing time
Minimum 05 working daysShort term visas (New Delhi, Mumbai)
Where to apply
9 locations listedNew Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur…
Insurance required
Not published

Overview

How do Indian citizens apply for a South Africa visa?

Applies via: VFS Global

Who handles applications in India

Applications are submitted at VFS Global visa application centres on behalf of the South African High Commission, New Delhi (North & East India) and the Consulate General, Mumbai (West & South India). Per instructions of the Consulate in Mumbai, only applications fulfilling all checklist documents are accepted at VFS; incomplete applicants must complete missing documents and resubmit during operational hours. All decisions on issuance, entries and duration are at the sole discretion of the mission.

How to apply from India — step by step

  1. 1

    Prepare your documents

    Gather the documents listed in the "Documents required" section — the common list plus the checklist for your visa category.

  2. 2

    Submit your application

    Submit at a VFS Global centre or other listed location: New Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and others listed below.

  3. 3

    Pay the fees

    Pay the visa fee shown in the "Visa fees" section, plus the service fee.

Steps follow the official pages in the Sources section; always follow the latest instructions there.

Before you apply

Visa fees

How much is the South Africa visa fee for Indian citizens?

  • Short term visas (all short-term categories incl. Transit)

    Gratis for Indian Nationals

    Foreign Nationals INR 2342/-

  • Study / Treaty / Medical Treatment / Relative / Exchange / Retired Person / Remote Work / Volunteer-Charity Work Visa

    INR 2342/-

    VFS page for Study Visa also states 'Visa Fee would be gratis for all the Indian Nationals'

  • Research Work

    Indian Nationals: Gratis (Under Short-term Category) / INR 2342/- (Under Long-term Category)

  • Business Visa/Permit, General Work, Critical Skill, Intra Company Transfer, Corporate Work (incl. TES TRV categories)

    INR 8375/-

  • Dependant Visa

    Gratis for Indian Nationals

    VFS shows the same fee table as short-term visas

Service fee: VFS Logistic Fee per applicant: New Delhi and Mumbai INR 2040; Gurugram, Jaipur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru INR 2301 (inclusive all taxes). Convenience fee INR 160 for all payment modes (including cash). Optional: SMS INR 55, Courier Assurance INR 885, Premium Lounge INR 2000. Non-refundable.

Checklist

What documents are required for a South Africa visa from India?

All applicants

14 items
  • Passport valid for at least 30 days after intended departure from South Africa, with at least two unused/blank visa pages (old/previous passport mandatory in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa and Bengaluru)
  • Fully completed visa application form 11 (DHA-84), in black ink and block letters, signed (signature matching passport); parents sign for minors
  • Proof of funds: last 3 months' original bank statement on bank letterhead, stamped and signed, with balance of R 3000 or equivalent in INR (no passbook/e-statements/net banking copies)
  • Verifiable hotel booking stating name, passport number, duration, hotel address and contact details
  • NOC for leave from employer/school/university with name, passport number and duration
  • Day-to-day itinerary covering stay in South Africa
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelling through/staying in the yellow fever belt
  • Valid flight ticket or proof of reservation
  • Two recent passport size photographs (35mm x 45mm), not older than 30 days
  • Notarised marriage certificate where applicable (original to be carried for verification)
  • Copies of passport bio-data pages (photo page and address/parents page)
  • Original covering letter signed by applicant stating name, passport number, duration and who bears expenses (on letterhead if self-employed)
  • Minors: notarised birth certificate, parental consent affidavit (less than 3 months old), parents' passport copies
  • Documents in a regional language must be officially translated to English; Government documents must be notary attested

Holiday / Visiting Family-Friends / Sports Events

2 items
  • Separate document lists published for North & East India and South & West India
  • South & West group submission: letter from South African tour handling company listing tourists, and signed tour itinerary

Photo

What are the South Africa visa photo specifications?

Size
3.5 cm X 4.5 cm
Background
white background only
  • colour, without border
  • face takes up 70-80% of the photograph
  • not more than 1 month old
  • without headgear (religious headgear considered case by case)
  • looking directly at the camera

Insurance

Is travel medical insurance required for a South Africa visa?

Not stated as a South Africa requirement; VFS document tab carries a generic travel insurance promo line

Processing

How long does South Africa visa processing take?

Short term visas (New Delhi, Mumbai)
Minimum 05 working days
Short term visas (Gurugram, Jaipur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru)
Minimum 07 working days
Long term visas (Study, Treaty, Medical Treatment, Relative, Exchange, Business, Work, Retired Person)
minimum 90 days from submission
Research Work / Remote Work
Minimum 60 working days (New Delhi, Mumbai); 62 working days other centres
Trusted Employer Scheme
minimum 15-20 days from submission

Visa types

Which South Africa visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

SHORT TERM VISA

  • Medical (Only Private Hospitals/Clinics)
  • Business Meeting
  • Training
  • Conferences
  • Short Term Projects
  • Holiday / Visiting Family-Friends / Sports Events
  • Academic Sabbatical
  • Film Industry Visa (Short Term)
  • Transit Visa
  • LONG TERM BUSINESS EXECUTIVE PORT OF ENTRY VISA

LONG TERM VISA

  • Study Visa
  • Treaty Visa
  • Medical Treatment Visa
  • Relative Visa
  • Exchange Visa
  • Business Visa
  • General Work
  • Critical Skill Visa
  • Intra Company Transfer Work Visa
  • Corporate Work Visa
  • Retired-Person Visa
  • Research Work
  • REMOTE WORK VISA
  • Dependant Visa (Accompanying Foreign Spouse And Dependant Children)
  • Volunteer/Charity Work

TRUSTED EMPLOYER SCHEME (TES)

  • TRV Critical Skills Work Visa
  • TRV General Work Visa
  • TRV Intra Company Transfer

Where to apply

Where do Indian citizens apply for a South Africa visa?

  • New Delhi
  • Gurugram
  • Jaipur
  • Kolkata
  • Mumbai
  • Ahmedabad
  • Pune
  • Goa
  • Bengaluru

FAQ

South Africa visa for Indians — frequently asked questions

Answers built only from the VFS Global and embassy pages listed in the Sources section.

How much is the South Africa visa fee for Indian citizens?

Short term visas (all short-term categories incl. Transit): Gratis for Indian Nationals; Study / Treaty / Medical Treatment / Relative / Exchange / Retired Person / Remote Work / Volunteer-Charity Work Visa: INR 2342/-; Research Work: Indian Nationals: Gratis (Under Short-term Category) / INR 2342/- (Under Long-term Category). 2 more fee rows are listed on this page. Service fee: VFS Logistic Fee per applicant: New Delhi and Mumbai INR 2040; Gurugram, Jaipur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru INR 2301 (inclusive all taxes). Convenience fee INR 160 for all payment modes (including cash). Optional: SMS INR 55, Courier Assurance INR 885, Premium Lounge INR 2000. Non-refundable..

What documents are required for a South Africa visa from India?

Passport valid for at least 30 days after intended departure from South Africa, with at least two unused/blank visa pages (old/previous passport mandatory in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa and Bengaluru); Fully completed visa application form 11 (DHA-84), in black ink and block letters, signed (signature matching passport); parents sign for minors; Proof of funds: last 3 months' original bank statement on bank letterhead, stamped and signed, with balance of R 3000 or equivalent in INR (no passbook/e-statements/net banking copies); Verifiable hotel booking stating name, passport number, duration, hotel address and contact details; NOC for leave from employer/school/university with name, passport number and duration; Day-to-day itinerary covering stay in South Africa. Plus 8 more items listed on this page. Category-specific checklists are listed for 1 visa category.

How long does South Africa visa processing take for Indians?

Short term visas (New Delhi, Mumbai): Minimum 05 working days; Short term visas (Gurugram, Jaipur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru): Minimum 07 working days; Long term visas (Study, Treaty, Medical Treatment, Relative, Exchange, Business, Work, Retired Person): minimum 90 days from submission.

Where do Indian citizens apply for a South Africa visa?

Applications go via VFS Global. Locations listed: New Delhi, Gurugram, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru.

What photo size is required for a South Africa visa?

Size: 3.5 cm X 4.5 cm. Background: white background only.

Is travel medical insurance required for a South Africa visa?

Not stated as a South Africa requirement; VFS document tab carries a generic travel insurance promo line

Which South Africa visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

SHORT TERM VISA, LONG TERM VISA and TRUSTED EMPLOYER SCHEME (TES). 28 visa types are listed on this page.

Sources

Sources

Machine-readable version: /visa/india/south-africa/markdown

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