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India e-Visa for South African Passport Holders

E-Visa (apply online)
🖥 E-Visa Available — Apply online before travel
n/a Rejection Rate Not Published
1/5 Difficulty
2–4d Processing
ZAR 0 Total Cost

Quick Facts

Requirement E-Visa
Visa Fee ZAR 0
Processing Time 2–4 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 90 days
E-Visa Available online

India offers one of the best travel deals for South African passport holders — a free e-visa processed online in 1–4 days. The 1-year multiple-entry e-Tourist Visa gives 90 days per visit, plenty for exploring the subcontinent. Apply at least 4–7 days before travel.

Key Warnings

  • Apply only at the official portal indianvisaonline.gov.in — third-party websites charge fees for a service that is free for South Africans.
  • e-Visa is only valid for entry at designated airports and seaports — it is NOT valid at all land border crossings with neighbouring countries.
  • Apply at least 4 days before travel. Last-minute same-day approvals are not guaranteed.

Insider Tips

  • The 1-year multiple-entry e-Tourist Visa is the best option for most South African travellers — it costs nothing and allows multiple 90-day visits over 12 months.
  • India is a huge country with diverse experiences. Popular routes from South Africa: JNB–DEL (Delhi), JNB–BOM (Mumbai), JNB–BLR (Bangalore) — often via Dubai or Doha.
  • Travel health preparation is important for India — hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are strongly recommended.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Go to the official Indian e-visa portal

    Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Select the e-Tourist Visa. Do NOT use third-party websites — the government portal is free for South Africans.

  2. Choose your visa type

    Select the 1-year e-Tourist Visa for maximum flexibility — valid for 12 months with multiple entries, up to 90 days per visit. The 30-day single-entry option is also available.

  3. Fill in the application form

    Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your South African passport. Enter your travel dates and first night accommodation address.

  4. Upload documents

    Upload your passport bio page scan and a recent passport photo (white background, JPEG). Ensure all images are clear.

  5. Submit — no payment needed for South Africans

    Submit your application. The government visa fee is waived for South African passport holders. No credit card payment is required.

  6. Receive your e-visa by email

    You will receive your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) by email, typically within 72–96 hours. Print it or save it to your phone — present it at Indian immigration on arrival.

Required Documents

  • Valid South African passport Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended entry date. At least 2 blank pages required.
  • Recent digital passport photo White background, plain face, taken within last 6 months. JPEG format, minimum 10KB.
  • Scanned copy of passport bio page Clear JPEG scan of the photo page.
  • Return or onward flight ticket Confirmed booking showing exit from India.
  • Hotel booking or accommodation address First night accommodation details required on application form.

Recommended (Optional)

  • Travel itinerary Helps speed up processing and strengthens application.

Why Applications Get Rejected

  • Photograph or passport scan rejected

    The e-Visa is screened automatically. A non-square photo, a cropped scan or a poor background fails before a human sees the application.

    Fix: Square photograph, plain light background, full face; a clean full-page scan of the passport bio page.

  • Applied too close to travel

    Applications must be lodged at least four days before arrival and the portal will not expedite.

    Fix: Apply at least a week ahead, and do not book non-refundable travel against an unissued e-Visa.

  • Wrong entry point

    The e-Visa is valid at designated airports and seaports only. Land borders require a regular visa.

    Fix: Check your arrival point against the designated list before applying.

No published rejection rate. India publishes no e-Visa or regular visa refusal statistics by applicant nationality. Checked August 2026.

Latest Updates

2026-08

India's e-Visa fee drops between April and June

The 30-day e-Tourist Visa costs US$25 from July to March and US$10 for arrivals in April, May and June. One-year and five-year options run US$40 and US$80. India sets fees per nationality under bilateral arrangements, so confirm the figure for your passport at indianvisaonline.gov.in — and only there, since lookalike sites charge several times the government rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the India e-visa free for South Africans?
Yes. India waives the e-Tourist Visa government fee for South African passport holders under a bilateral agreement. Apply at the official portal indianvisaonline.gov.in — no credit card payment is required for South Africans. Avoid third-party websites that charge unnecessary service fees.
How long does the India e-visa take for South Africans?
The India e-visa is typically approved within 24–72 hours for South African applicants. The official window is up to 96 hours. Apply at least 4 days before travel — applying 7 days ahead is safer. You will receive the ETA by email.
How long can South Africans stay in India on an e-visa?
South Africans can stay up to 90 days per visit on the 1-year multiple-entry e-Tourist Visa. The visa is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, allowing multiple visits. A 30-day single-entry option is also available.
Do South Africans need a yellow fever certificate for India?
No. South Africa is not classified as a yellow fever endemic country. A yellow fever certificate is not required for direct travel from South Africa to India. However, hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are strongly recommended.

Data Sources & Verification

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