South Africa visa requirements for Indians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Indians visiting South Africa

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a South African Visa.

  • An Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (35 mm x 45 cm).
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Copy of return flight ticket
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Medical Insurance to cover duration of entire stay. 
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

South Africa Visa for Indians

Facts about South Africa

South Africa is popular for its natural landscape, game reserves, and cultural heritage. Tourists interested in natural history would have a good time visiting the country. A wide range of species can be found in various nature parks around the country. The most popular national parks are the Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, other smaller parks are Addo National Park and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. There are also beaches which offer activities like surfing and kayaking. In addition to its numerous natural attractions, South Africa also boasts a large number of attractions of cultural significance. They include caves forming part of the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, the ruins of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in northern Limpopo, the wine routes of the Western Cape amongst others.
 
The tourism industry is one of the most important industries of the South African economy. In 2012, the country was responsible for directly contributing ZAR 102 billion of South African GDP and supports 10.3% of jobs in the country. In 2014, over 9 million tourists visited South Africa which was a 0.1% increase from the number of visitors recorded the previous year.
 
Foreigners visiting South Africa are not allowed to enter the country with more than ZAR25,000 but can enter the country with unlimited foreign currency. No Kruger coin is allowed. On exit from the country, you cannot be in possession of more than ZAR25,000 but can leave with unlimited foreign currency if the amount was declared on entry. Foreigners can leave the country with up to 15 Kruger coins if there is proof it was purchased with foreign currency.
 
Citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malta, Portugal, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, etc can gain entry visa-free for a stay of 90 days. Nationals of Angola, Antigua, and Barbuda, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Hungary, Jordan, Poland, South Korea, Thailand, etc do not need a visa for stays of 30 days or less.

Types of South Africa Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Visitor Visa 4-6 weeks 90 days
Student visa 4-6 weeks more than 90 days
Work visa 4-6 weeks more than 90 days

General Requirements for South Africa Visa

  • An Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (35 mm x 45 cm).
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Copy of return flight ticket
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Medical Insurance to cover duration of entire stay. 
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
South Africa Visitor Visa South Africa Student visa South Africa Work visa

South Africa Visitor Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Visitors’ visas are for Indians who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.
  • The visa will allow you to travel to a South African port of entry where an immigration official will then determine if you are allowed to enter South Africa and for how long you can stay for that particular visit.
  • The South African visitor's visa are also granted for the following:
    • Visits to family or friends and also for tourism purposes.
    • Business purposes.
    • Spouse to join a spouse who is in South Africa on a work or study permit.
    • Children to join parents who are in South Africa on work or study permits.
    • Fiancée/ fiancé to join his or her partner with the intention of marrying within 90 days.
    • Study purposes (max stay 3-months).
    • Charitable or voluntary activities.
    • Research.
    • Conferences.
    • To work in the production of an movie or show (i.e. in the entertainment industry).
    • For medical purposes (max stay 3-months).
    • Sport events.
  • A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (if required)
  • Applicants are required to provide a statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit.
  • Two colored passport photographs is required from the applicants.
  • A return or onward ticket is required from the applicant.
  • An invitation letter if you're going for visitation purposes must be provided.
  • If you have children (minors) travelling with you or joining in South Africa, you will need to provide the following additional documents:
      • Proof of guardianship or custody or
      • Consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor
    • Proof of financial means to pay for your living expenses while in South Africa in the form of the following:
        • Bank statements.
        • Salary advances.
        • Undertakings by the host(s) in South Africa.
        • Bursary.
        • Medical cover.
        • Cash available (including credit cards and travelers’ cheques).

      South Africa Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

      • The student visa is issued to Indians who intend to study in one of the academic institutions in South Africa.
      • Studying in South Africa is easy for foreigners.  it will usually take three years of full-time study to complete a bachelor's degree, and one or two years to complete a master's degree.
      • A letter of acceptance from the institution you have applied is required. The letter should be written on the company’s letterhead and state the course and duration of the study.
      • An undertaking by the registrar of the chosen educational institution to grant proof of registration as contemplated in the relevant legislation within 60 days of registration.
      • Students are required to provide proof of sufficient funds. A student is required to have at least  R2,714 per month to cover financial needs.
      • If you are over the age of 18 years, you are required to submit a police clearance certificate not older than 6 months.
      • For applicants under the age of 18 years, an unabridged original copy of your birth certificate is required.
      • A certificate of yellow fever vaccination should be provided.
      • International students are allowed to work part-time as long as it does not interfere with your study.
      • Certificates and transcripts from previously attended school should be submitted during the application process.

      South Africa Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

      • This visa is for Indians whose purpose of traveling to South Africa is to take up paid employment.
      • The visa application form of applicants should be accompanied with proof of acknowledgment from the Department of Labor.
      • A letter of employment from your future employer should be provided. The letter should state the address of the company and your job position.
      • The contract of employment, that determines the conditions of employment and is signed by both the employer and employee. This document should be in line with the labor norms in South Africa.
      • Your employer should prove that you will not be paid lower than the average salary and benefits of citizens that have the same job in the country.
      • Before you are offered this job, you must have proof that you have the required qualifications and experience that suits the job.
      • Your future employer must provide a document showing proof that there was no South African willing and available to take up the job.
      • Proof of skills evaluated by SAQA and translated by a denominated translator into one of the official languages of South Africa must be provided.
      • Proof of registration of the business with the Commission on Intellectual Property and Companies (CIPC) of your future employer must be provided.
      • Your family members are allowed to come visit you, but they are required to apply for a South African relative visa.
      • This visa is valid for a minimum period of 24 months and may be extended.
      • For applicants 18 years and older, a police clearance certificate is required.
      • A medical and radiological report of applicants is required.

      South Africa Visa Fees

      Visa Type

      Sub Types

      Visa Fees

      Visitor Visa

      45.00 (USD)

      Student visa

      45.00 (USD)

      Work visa

      45.00 (USD)

      South Africa Visa Application Centres & Embassies in India

      Location

      Address

      New Delhi

      South African High Commission in New Delhi, India --- B18 Vasant Marg Vasant Vihar New Delhi 110 057 India

      southafricainindia.wordpress.com

      dtidelhi@thedti.gov.za

      (+91) 11 2614 9411 to 20

      Frequently Asked Questions

      How long it takes to get South Africa visa?

      South African visas can take anywhere from 5 working days to 4 weeks. This depends on your nationality.

      Do I need a visa to travel to South Africa?

      Indians visiting Africa for tourism, business, work or study purposes need to apply for visas.

      What is the best time to visit South Africa?

      The best time to visit South Africa is May and September. They are wonderful because it is less cold and, especially in September, the wildlife viewing is excellent.

      Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for South Africa?

      Yes you need a yellow fever vaccination for South Africa. Vaccine should be approved by the WHO and administered at least 10 days before departure to South Africa at a Yellow Fever approved vaccination centre.