South Africa Tourist Visa for Indians: How to Apply & Requirements

Last Updated : 19 Apr 2024

Last Updated : 19 Apr 2024 at

30-Second Summary

Indian nationals require a South Africa visa to enter the country for tourism.

Indian nationals can apply for a South Africa visa through a VAC or an authorised agent such as Atlys.
Once your visa gets approved, the South African Embassy issues a tourist visa stamped directly on your passport.
You must submit your passport to the embassy to process your South Africa.

With Atlys, the process is entirely online. Atlys will collect and return your passport and visa safely to your doorstep.

Important Information

South Africa

— Visa type

Short-term tourist visa.

— South Africa visa fee

You can expect to pay ₹4,800 for the South Africa tourist visa.

— South Africa processing time

Using Atlys guarantees visa delivery to your doorstep within 1 month of your application, covering pickup and drop-off services.

— South Africa visa validity

The South Africa visa is valid for up to 30 days.

— Length of stay

You can stay up to 30 days.

Do Indians need a visa for South Africa?

Yes, Indian passport holders must have a visa to enter South Africa for tourism and do not enjoy visa-free travel.

South Africa offers a single entry visa valid for 30 days, which allows a stay of 30 days. You must submit your physical passport and documents to the visa application centre (VAC) during the visa application process.

The South African visa from India can be obtained through Atlys or the visa application centre.

Is there a South Africa visa on arrival for Indian citizens?

No, Indian nationals cannot obtain a South Africa visa upon arrival. Before going on your trip, you must apply for a tourist visa which you can easily do online through Atlys.

South Africa visa requirements for Indian passport holders

When applying for a South Africa visa, you must submit specific documents to complete the application:

Visa application form: You'll have to complete the visa application form and bring it with you to the visa application centre.
Passport: Your passport must be valid for 30 days and have two blank pages.
Photograph: Ensure the visa photo is captured against a white background, facing directly at the camera.
Sufficient funds: Proof of financial means to pay for your living expenses in South Africa through 3 month’s bank statements.
Travel itinerary: A statement or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit.
Return ticket: A return ticket if you travel by air.
Proof of accommodation: Provide a confirmed hotel booking showing the names of the applicants, passport numbers, duration of stay, hotel address, and contact details. The booking should be made online or by a South African host with a stamp from a South African hotel, company, or travel agency.
NOC letter: This should be from your employer, school, or university, clearly stating your name, passport number, and the duration of your visit.

Keep in mind that without the correct documents, you won't be able to apply for your South Africa tourist visa from India successfully.

Atlys streamlines the application process by collaborating with government partners, reducing the paperwork needed. Provide your passport and a photo, and we'll cover the rest.

Visa Application Jurisdiction:

Passport jurisdiction means that the embassy/VAC assigned to your residential area must handle your visa application. Submitting your application to a different embassy not designated for your region is not allowed and can lead to a visa rejection.

South Africa VAC Mumbai encompasses the states of Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka. Additionally, it includes Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka.
South Africa VAC New Delhi comprises the remaining states and territories of India.

South Africa visa fee for Indians

The South Africa visa fee for Indians is ₹4,800.*

*It is important to note that the visa fees are subject to change, so check the official South Africa visa online website for the most up-to-date information.

South Africa visa application process for Indians

We want to ensure you are well informed about the application process and available choices. When obtaining a South Africa visa, you have two options: use Atlys or manage the process independently.

Apply through Atlys

To help you smoothly navigate the visa application process, let us take you through the steps when applying for your South Africa visa for Indians through Atlys.

1
Visit Atlys: Go to the Atlys and start your visa application.
2
Upload documents: Use your smartphone or laptop camera to capture and upload your required documents.
3
Fee payment: Complete your South Africa visa application payment to submit your visa application.
4
Arrange document pickup: Select a date for Atlys to collect your passport safely and the required documents. All shipments are insured, and your passport is kept safe at an Atlys Fulfilment Centre
5
Atlys submits your application: Atlys will review your application to ensure it is correct and accurate. Once satisfied, your application will be submitted directly to the VAC for processing.
6
Visa outcome: Once your visa has been processed, Atlys will return your passport and affixed visa to your doorstep.

You don't need to go to the embassy in person when you apply through Atlys.

Why choose Atlys

Atlys streamlines the document collection and submission process, eliminating the need for in-person visits to the visa application centre.
Atlys is an officially authorised agent of the South African government so that you can bypass the need for a VAC appointment.
Atlys provides a guaranteed timeline for your visa application, ensuring you receive your visa on time.
The approval rating for the South Africa visa for Indians on Atlys is 100%.

Apply through the government website

The embassy outsources the visa applications to a dedicated VAC. Follow these steps to complete your application:

1
Book an appointment: Contact the VAC to schedule an appointment.
2
Gather the required documents: Complete your application form and gather copies of the required documents for submission.
3
Attend your scheduled appointment. Travel to the visa application centre to attend your appointment. Arrive on time with all the required documents on hand.
4
Submit documents: Submit your list of documents on the day of your appointment.
5
Pay the visa fee: You must pay the visa fee at the visa application centre using a credit/debit card or cash. Officials will guide you through the payment process.
6
Wait for visa processing: Wait for your visa to be processed. You will receive an email update with the status of your visa application. You can track your visa application status online through the VAC website.
7
Receive your South Africa visa: After processing, you must travel back to the VAC to collect your passport and affixed visa. An approved visa will grant you entry into South Africa for up to 30 days.

Atlys simplifies the application steps to make your visa journey easy and fast. Atlys guarantees visa delivery to your doorstep within 1 month, covering pickup and drop-off services.

Tips to apply

Submit your South Africa visa application well in advance to allow enough time for processing.
Verify all necessary documents for your visa application, ensuring accurate passport and photo submissions.
Carefully complete your application form with accurate information that matches your travel documents.

Receive your approved South Africa visa for Indians

After you submit your visa application, it enters the processing phase. Because applications may face delays, it is advisable to apply as early as possible.

Through Atlys:

Upon your visa's approval, Atlys will send you a notification confirming its approval. Your passport and visa will be safely delivered back to your doorstep.

Through the VAC:

The VAC will not send any emails for visa approval; it must be verified manually. Once your visa is approved, you can collect your passport and visa directly from the VAC.

South Africa visa information for Indians

How to check your South Africa visa status?

For South Africa visa tracking, you can use the designated online system to monitor the progress of your application.

Check your visa status online through the VAC:

1
Visit the visa application centre’s website where you applied.
2
Input your reference number from the invoice/receipt provided by the VAC.
3
Enter your date of birth.
4
Provide the captcha as shown as an image on your screen.
5
Lastly, click on submit to check the status of your visa application.

Check your visa status on Atlys:

Atlys provides real-time updates on your visa status to keep you informed. In addition, you can manually check your status through Atlys:

1
Download the Atlys app.
2
Select “Profile” and then “My Documents”.
3
Inside "My Documents," find your South Africa visa.
4
Click on your visa to access its current status.

South Africa visa processing time

Once submitted at the visa application centre, the visa processing time can take up to 20 days or more. This does not include the time spent filling out the online form, waiting for an appointment, collecting your documents, or scheduling courier services.

You can expect to spend more than a month applying for your visa.

On Atlys, you can apply online and receive your visa guaranteed within a month of applying online.

South Africa visa validity & length of stay

The South African visa for Indians is valid for a maximum of 30 days from the date it's issued. You can stay for a maximum of 30 days.

However, note that the exact validity and period of stay will be mentioned in your visa. You must ensure you only travel within the validity of your visa and stay in the country for the number of days allowed.

Our Commitment To Visa Accuracy

The information provided in this blog is sourced from official government websites, ensuring reliability and accuracy. While you can trust the content to be precise, staying informed is advisable, as changes may occur without prior notice.

Government fees and processes are subject to change over time. Atlys suggests verifying the latest and most accurate information by double-checking the government website before submitting your application.

We’re here to answer all your questions

Do I need to submit my passport when I apply through Atlys?

Yes. You must submit your physical passport and the required documents for the South Africa visa for Indians. Atlys will arrange a trusted courier service to collect your passport and documents safely from your doorstep. Once we receive your application, we review it for completeness and submit it directly to authorities for processing.

How do I receive my approved South Africa visa through Atlys?

Upon approval, Atlys will safely deliver your South Africa visa to your doorstep. You will also receive the necessary tracking details so you can keep informed of the location of your documents.

What happens if my South Africa visa gets rejected?

At Atlys, you will receive a 100% refund of your visa fees, excluding the service fees.

If your visa is rejected, you will be notified of the reason for rejection. You can reapply by fixing these rejection reasons.

You will lose the funds when applying through the government or visa application centre.

Do Indian passport holders need a visa for South Africa?

Yes, Indian passport holders need a Tourist Visa for South Africa. However, only holders of India's diplomatic, official, and service passports can enter South Africa visa-free.

Is yellow fever vaccine required for South Africa?

Yes. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is needed if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

Do I need to enter South Africa on the exact specified date on my visa?

Upon approval of your South Africa Visa for Indians, you will receive a notification indicating by which date you should enter South Africa. Failure of which forfeits your e-Visa, and a new application and fee will be required.

Do I need to provide biometric data for a South Africa visa?

Yes, Indian nationals need to provide biometric data, which includes fingerprints and a digital photograph, as part of the visa application process. The biometric data is collected at the visa application centre.

How can I check my visa status through Atlys?

Once you submit your South Africa visa application, you can use the Atlys app to check your visa status. Follow these simple steps:

1
Get the Atlys app.
2
Log in.
3
Go to "My Documents" to find your visa.
4
Click on your visa to see its current status.

When your visa is approved, Atlys will email you a digital copy. You can also find a copy of your South Africa visa in the "My Documents" section of the Atlys app.

How does the visa appointment process work?

You must attend your appointment for your visa application. You cannot send someone on your behalf. After applying for your visa and getting the results, you can collect your passport from the visa application center if you haven't already. You should check with the visa application center at opening times for the options available to collect your documents. Courier can also return your passport for an additional fee.

What can I expect at my visa appointment?

If you miss your appointment on the scheduled day, you must book a new appointment 24 hours after your original appointment date. Applying through Atlys means you will not have to attend a visa appointment.

What should I do if I miss my visa appointment?

If you miss your appointment on the scheduled day. In that case, you must book a new appointment 24 hours after your original appointment date.

What are the South Africa visa requirements for minors?

Adults travelling with minors under 18 need to show the child's birth certificate, which shows the details of both parents. Here are the additional documents you'll need:

Consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor.
Suppose the child is travelling with one parent. In that case, it is also necessary to present a parental consent affidavit signed by the other parent.
Foreign visa-required children will have their birth certificates processed during their South African tourist visa application. They will no longer have to produce the document for inspection at the airport upon arrival.

Can Indians Apply For Their South Africa Visa At An embassy?

No. Indians no longer need to visit the embassy or consulate to obtain a South African Visa.

Instead, they can apply through VAC or using authorised online agents such as Atlys.

Can additional documents be requested during my visa application?

Yes, additional documents can be requested. Additional documents can include

Proof of sufficient funds.
Proof of accommodation.
Proof of return flight tickets.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate.

What is the minimum balance I require for my South Africa visa application?

Please provide a bank statement from the last three months, signed and stamped by the bank, showing a balance of at least R 3000 (approx. ₹13,200).

What are the South Africa visa photo requirements?

The South Africa visa photo requirements typically include:

Color photographs: The photos must be in color, not black and white.
Size: The standard size is usually 35mm wide and 45mm high.
Background: The background should be plain white or light-coloured.
Expression: Maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and eyes open.
Head position: Your head should be straight, facing forward, and centered within the frame.

What are the different South Africa visa types Indians can apply for?

There are several types of visas that Indians can apply for. It all depends on your trip purpose. Here are the South African visas you can apply for:

Short-stay visa: This visa allows visitors to visit family or friends for business purposes. The spouse is to join a spouse in South Africa on a work or study permit, and the children are to join parents in South Africa on work or study permits.
Business visas: Foreigners who are contemplating investing in the South African economy by establishing a business or by investing in an existing business in the country must apply for a business visa if it is their intention to be employed in the business
General work visas: General work visas are issued to foreigners where it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that South African citizens and permanent residents with relevant qualifications, skills, and experience are unavailable for the appointment.
Student visas: Study visas are only issued for studies at selected learning institutions.
Medical treatment visa: Any foreigner needing medical treatment in the Republic must apply for a medical treatment visa, which may be issued for six months.