Indian Visa from South Africa
The Citizens of South Africa can enter India with the help of the Indian eVisa which was introduced by the government of India in November 2014 for short stays in India. Initially a few countries were able to take the privilege of the Indian Online visa but now around 171 countries around the world can apply.
This means that the Indian eVisa is eligible for 171 countries around the world, and if you are a citizen belonging to one of these countries you can easily opt for this service. To apply for the Indian eVisa it is quite easy, you just simply need to visit the website and fill the form and submit online, all from the comforts of your home.
Are citizens of South Africa eligible to apply for the Indian eVisa to visit India legally?
As South Africa passport holders are in the list of the Indian eVisa eligible countries, they can apply for the visa online for short stays in India, without having to visit the embassy of India. But before they apply, they must make sure that they have the required documents which makes them eligible.
South African citizens wanting to fill the Indian eVisa form, what are the documents needed to apply?
South African passport holders before they fill the Indian eVisa form, they must check if they have the documents with them or not, falling to have even one of the documents could lead to rejection of your application:
- Valid South Africa passport
- Valid email address
- Return-ticket (you might need to show at the immigration checkpoint in India)
- Latest Vaccination Certificate for Yellow Fever
- Bank-statements, just to make sure that you have funds during your stay in India.
- Passport size-photo (required-mandatory instructions needed to be followed to click and upload the scanned photo)
How many days in advance can the South African citizens apply for the Indian eVisa?
For the convenience of the travelers, the immigration department allows the applicants to apply 120 days in advance. This means that the window opens 120 days in advance from the date of your journey to India. So with the help of the Indian eVisa travelers from Indian eVisa eligible can apply 120 days in advance, if you have plans to visit India and have booked your tickets.
What are the types of Indian eVisa available, which one to opt for?
The government of India has further categorised the Indian eVisa into the following types, so that it is easier for the travelers to apply according to their purpose of visit to India.
Indian e-Business Visa for South African citizens
The Indian Business e-Visa for South African citizens is permitted only for business related activities. The validity of this eVisa is one-year with unlimited entries and stay for the business activity is for 180 days, so the traveler can divide it into two stays, in case he is planning for a second visit.
What is the mandatory requirement to apply for the Indian eBusiness Visa?
In order to apply for the Indian eBusiness Visa, make sure you have a business card in South Africa, and an invitation letter in a letterhead from the company in India, with your name in it, the organization seal, etc, inviting you to tend the business activities in India.
Indian e-Conference Visa for South African citizens
The Indian Conference e-Visa for South African citizens is permitted only for conference related activities. The validity of this eVisa is 30 with a single-entry and stay for the conference reason till the time of the conference date.
Indian e-Tourist Visa for South African citizens
The Indian Tourist eVisa for South African citizens is permitted only for tourism related activities. The validity of this eVisa is varies, depending on the type of eTourist visa you have applied, which are:
- 30-days eTourist Visa: only for 30 days stay and two entries
- 1-year eTourist Visa: valid for 1-year, each visit 180-days stay, and multiple entries
- 5-year eTourist Visa: valid for 5-year, each visit 180-days stay, and multiple entries
What is the mandatory requirement to apply for the Indian eTourist Visa?
In order to apply for the Indian eTourist Visa, make sure that you have the necessary tourism related documents ready, like your whole itinerary planned, places you will be visiting, if attending yoga and meditation programs, details of that, etc.
Indian e-Medical Visa for South African citizens
The Indian Medical e-Visa for South African citizens is permitted only for medical related activities. The validity of this eVisa is one-year with three entries and stay for the medical reason is for 60 days.
What is the mandatory requirement to apply for the Indian eMedical Visa?
In order to apply for the Indian eMedical Visa, make sure you have the obligatory documents like a letterhead from the hospital in India with your name, details of the treatment to be taken, start date of treatment, end date of treatment, signature of the designated doctor, etc.
Indian e-Medical Attendant Visa for South African citizens
The Indian eVisa for Medical Attendant for South African citizens is permitted only for accompanying the patients visiting India for medical related activities. The validity of this eVisa is one-year with three entries and stay for the medical reason is for 60 days.
How long does it take for the final status of the Indian eVisa application form?
For the verification of your Indian eVisa application and providing the final status takes around 3-4 working days. Those who fulfill all the eligibility criterias and have filled the form correctly and submitted all the supporting documents, they are likely to receive it within 2 working days.
However, their might be delays or rejections of your application if:
- If you have provided incomplete details.
- Did not enter the passport number correctly
- Wrong spelling of your name
- Did not provide genuine supporting documents
- Have not uploaded the passport photo following the mandatory instructions, etc.
Indian eVisa Application Steps that South African Citizens must follow
For the successful submission of the Indian eVisa application form, the applicants must gather all the eligibility documents and follow the steps:
Step 1: Visit the Indian eVisa site
Once you visit the Indian eVisa site, you will see the Apply now for Indian eVisa button, click on this button, you will be landing on the application form page.
The application form comprises some basic questions like your full name/middle name, surname, date of birth, place of birth, gender, identification mark if any, passport number, passport issuing and expiry date, passport issuing country, mobile number, email address, etc.
Step 2: Pay the Indian eVisa fees
When you have finished filling the questions, recheck again and then click on the payment option, here you have the advantage of paying the fees in any 1 of the 137 currencies available using a Debit or Credit card through our website.
Step 3: Provide additional information or documents by email
When the immigration department of India requests you to provide additional information and documents by email, you are requested to submit at the earliest at the provided email by the government.
Step 4: Get the Indian eVisa by email
When your application is verified and accepted, the approved Indian eVisa will be mailed to you.
What are the benefits of the Indian eVisa you have received?
- In this electronic visa, you do not have to visit the embassy to get a visa stamp on the passport.
- Since the entire process is online, your information is maintained online and the immigration department officials have the right to access the information from any airport in the world.
- You should wait for our email before departing to the airport until we have emailed you an approved e-Visa for India.
- You must receive the Indian eVisa to visit the country, so before departing to the airport make sure that the approved Indian eVisa has been mailed to you.
Are the South Africa passport holders eligible to enter India from any other country?
South Africa citizens simply need to have a valid South Africa passport to enter India, he can fly to any of the authorised airports of India from any international airport in the world. So make sure you enter or exit India from government authorised airports and seaports.
Note: Land based entry to India is not allowed.
Will you be required to contact or visit the Indian embassy during the Indian eVisa application?
During the entire process, right from filling the form to submission of the form, or providing the requested documents, you will have to complete the steps online. You do not have to contact the embassy or visit the embassy, the approved Indian eVisa will be mailed to you, there is no requirement of visiting the embassy to get a visa stamp on the passport.
Nature, History & Spirituality: Let India’s Magic Captivate You
Say hello to India! The land where we Both Obsess Over Cricket, whether it's Cape Town or Kolkata, cricket runs in our veins.
So, South Africa + India = Soulmates?
- Shared Love for Food, Family, and Festivities
- Dancing through life with good music and every celebration
- And yep, cricket unites us like no other sport! You'll feel right at home, watching cricket, and shouting, but with a twist, a masala chai in hand.
What’s more? Every city feels like a new planet and every meal bursts with flavors.
Culture So Deep, You’ll Need a Map
The Taj Mahal, palaces, forts of Rajasthan, rock-cut temples, yoga in Rishikesh, meditation in the Himalayas, the list goes on. With its 5000+ years of history, every turn tells a tale.
Bonus: Bucket-List Adventures
- Spot a Bengal tiger in Ranthambore
- Be like a desert explorer riding a camel in Jaisalmer
- Fossil hunting in Langza village, Spiti Valley
- Houseboat Cruise in Kerala’s backwaters
- Shop like a local in chaotic bazaars
- Try crossing the roads in the cities in India (only experienced can cross the roads)