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Apply for your India visa from South Africa

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How to apply with iVisa

How to apply for your India visa with a passport from South Africa

Complete your online application

Answer a few simple questions, determine whether you need the India Tourist eVisa, India Business eVisa, India Medical eVisa, India e-Arrival Card, or another India visa or document, pay securely, and upload your documents. You can save your progress and come back anytime. We'll guide you through any unclear questions during the application process.

We review your application

The India visa system can be complicated for South African citizens, but don't worry – we review your whole application to catch anything that might cause delays.

We submit it for government processing

We’re not the Indian government, but we review your application for accuracy and submit it directly to them. If anything goes wrong, we’re here 24/7 to help resolve it – no long wait times, no confusing forms, just expert support from start to finish.

Get your India visa

We’ll email your approved India document and let you know how to use it for your trip from South Africa to India.

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Indian visa policy for South African citizens

South African citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to India, as visa-free entry is not permitted. Most travelers can apply online for an India eVisa, depending on the purpose of their visit, making the process faster and more convenient than applying at an embassy.

iVisa offers four India entry documents for South African travelers:

India Tourist eVisa: Designed for tourism, visiting family, or leisure travel. It can be issued with 30-day, 1-year, or 5-year validity, with stays typically limited to 30 or 90 days per visit, depending on the option selected.
India Business eVisa: For business-related activities such as meetings or conferences. It is usually valid for 1 year with multiple entries, allowing stays of up to 180 days per visit.
India Medical eVisa: For travelers seeking medical treatment in India. It is typically valid for 60 days from arrival and allows triple entry for medical-related visits.
India e-Arrival Card: A mandatory digital entry form that collects your personal details, passport information, and travel plans before arrival in India.

General India visa requirements for South African travelers are:

South Africa passport valid for at least six months from the arrival date
Passport-style photo and scanned passport bio page
Travel itinerary and accommodation details
Return or onward ticket
Proof of sufficient funds
Other supporting documents, depending on purpose/situation

Indian visas we offer for South African citizens

India Tourist eVisa

Prices starting from $85.99

Valid for 5 years after issued

Multiple entry

Stay up to 180 days per entry

India e-Arrival Card

Prices starting from $79.99

Valid for 1 month after issued

Single entry

Stay up to 30 days per entry

India Business eVisa

Prices starting from $134.99

Valid for 1 year after issued

Multiple entry

Stay up to 180 days per entry

India Medical eVisa

Prices starting from $84.99

Valid for 2 months after issued

Multiple entry

Stay up to 60 days per entry

Fast facts

Interview needed?

On a case-by-case basis (only for embassy visas)

When to apply?

At least 4 days before travel

Documents required upon arrival?

Valid South Africa passport (6+ months validity), approved India eVisa, copy of eVisa approval, return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation

Why choose iVisa?

Benefit	Applying by yourself	iVisa
Simple, easy forms	Not included	Included
24x7 support from visa experts	Not included	Included
Error detection to prevent rejections	Not included	Included
World's easiest passport scan	Not included	Included
Multiple payment methods	Not included	Included

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98% visa approval rate

Certified customer reviews

Travelers to India rated this product a 4.9 out of 5 based on 795 reviews.

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John

March 17, 2026

"I have already written a review. But I’m so pleased with iVisa I have no problem once again saying I would 100% recommend this service to anyone needing an India visa."

Fahad Ahmed

December 15, 2025

"Very good"

kevin mooney

December 11, 2025

"so much easier than the gov website app , maybe a little more expensive but saves all the stress , delivered in less than 3 days , excellent service"

Santosh

October 17, 2025

"It’s very good app for e visa fastest had seen Till today"

Susan

October 6, 2025

"Such an easy process from start to finish made what appeared to be a difficult thing so simple"

Claude

September 24, 2025

"Very fast !"

Nicky Omolo

September 3, 2025

"Ease of application and quick processing time is commendable."

Cristiane Meloto Gomes

September 2, 2025

"The iVisa application process is very clear, well explained, and simple to complete. The follow-up is excellent, status notifications kept us well informed at every stage. From the beginning of the application to final approval, the process was impressively fast and efficient. Highly recommend!"

Andreas Fischbacher

August 28, 2025

"Quick service. Possibility to have a chat for clearifications"

Heidi

August 27, 2025

"Nice and easy and affordable"

Frequently asked questions about getting the India visa with a South Africa passport

Do South African citizens need a visa for India?

Yes, South African citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to India. The most convenient option is the India eVisa, which can be completed fully online for tourism, business, or medical purposes without visiting an embassy.

What is the processing time for an Indian visa for South African citizens?

India eVisas are generally processed within 2 to 4 days, depending on the option selected.

With iVisa, you can choose:

Standard processing: 4 days
Rush processing: 3 days
Super Rush processing: 2 days

It’s recommended to apply at least 4 days before travel to avoid delays, especially if additional checks are required.

How do validity and stay duration work for India eVisas?

This is one of the most important things to understand before applying.

Your visa validity refers to how long the visa remains usable (for example, 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years from issue), while your stay duration refers to how long you can remain in India per visit.

For example, a 1-year Tourist eVisa allows multiple entries over one year, but each stay is usually limited to up to 90 days per visit. A 30-day Tourist eVisa allows a stay of 30 days from arrival.

You must adhere to both limits to avoid overstaying.

What should South African travelers expect when arriving in India?

Even with an approved eVisa, entry is not automatic.

You must enter through an approved airport or seaport, present a printed copy of your eVisa, and be prepared to answer questions about your trip.

Immigration officers may also request proof of accommodation, a return ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds, so it’s important to have these ready.

What if a South African citizen is of Indian origin or holds OCI/PIO status?

If you hold a OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card, you do not need a visa to enter India. OCI holders can travel to India multiple times and stay for long periods without applying for an eVisa.

If you do not have OCI status but are eligible, it may be worth applying for it instead of repeatedly applying for visas.

Travelers without OCI or similar status must apply for an India eVisa as usual.

Can South African citizens extend their stay in India?

India eVisas are generally not extendable or convertible.

If you need to stay longer, you must leave India before your permitted stay expires and apply for a new visa or a different visa type if eligible. Planning your stay carefully is essential to avoid penalties.