Visa guide · updated October 2026Do Indians need a visa for South Africa?
Indian passport holders need a visa for South Africa. Applications are lodged through VFS Global in India, which charges a service fee, and business visas take a minimum of 5 to 7 working days. Tour groups can use the faster Trusted Tour Operator Scheme.
South Africa visa options for Indians
| Option | Who it is for | Stay and validity | Official fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa (tourism) | Holidays and family visits | Up to 90 days, as granted | Confirm with VFS; the VFS service fee applies |
| Visitor visa (business) | Meetings and conferences | As granted | No visa fee for Indian nationals; the VFS service fee applies |
| Trusted Tour Operator Scheme | Tourists travelling with an approved tour operator | As granted | Through the tour operator |
South Africa visa fees
| Option | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (tourism) | Confirm with VFS; the VFS service fee applies |
| Visitor visa (business) | No visa fee for Indian nationals; the VFS service fee applies |
| Trusted Tour Operator Scheme | Through the tour operator |
VFS lists the visa fee as gratis for Indian nationals in several categories, with a VFS charge of INR 2,040 in New Delhi and Mumbai and INR 2,301 in other cities. We could not confirm the tourist-category fee, so check it on the VFS page.
Documents required
Official sources do not give a full list for every case; these are the documents applicants are normally asked for. Confirm the exact list when you apply.
- Passport (most countries ask for at least 6 months of validity and blank pages)
- Completed application form and recent passport photo
- Flight booking or itinerary
- Hotel booking or an invitation from your host
- Proof of funds, such as recent bank statements
- Yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or through a risk country
How to apply
Pick your visa category and download its checklist from the VFS South Africa page for India.
Book an appointment at a VFS centre.
Submit your documents and give biometrics.
Collect your passport when the High Commission in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai has decided.
Processing time
At least 5 to 7 working days; VFS lists a minimum of 5 working days in New Delhi and 7 elsewhere for business visas, and 10 to 15 working days for some categories.
Visa application centres in India
VFS Global accepts South Africa visa applications at 9 centres in India. Check which centre covers your state before you book.
Visa application centres
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Goa
- Gurugram
- Jaipur
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Pune
AhmedabadBengaluruGoaGurugramJaipurKolkataMumbaiNew DelhiPuneCentre list from VFS Global, checked on 26 October 2026. Centres open and close, so confirm before you travel to one.
Popular places to visit in South Africa
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Cape Town by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0; Johannesburg by Evan Bench, CC BY 2.0; Durban by ---=XEON=---, CC BY 3.0; Pretoria by Petrus Potgieter, Petrus at en.wikipedia, Public domain.
Frequently asked questions
Indian passport holders need a visa for South Africa. Applications are lodged through VFS Global in India, which charges a service fee, and business visas take a minimum of 5 to 7 working days. Tour groups can use the faster Trusted Tour Operator Scheme.
Visitor visa (tourism): Confirm with VFS; the VFS service fee applies. Visitor visa (business): No visa fee for Indian nationals; the VFS service fee applies. Trusted Tour Operator Scheme: Through the tour operator. VFS lists the visa fee as gratis for Indian nationals in several categories, with a VFS charge of INR 2,040 in New Delhi and Mumbai and INR 2,301 in other cities. We could not confirm the tourist-category fee, so check it on the VFS page.
At least 5 to 7 working days; VFS lists a minimum of 5 working days in New Delhi and 7 elsewhere for business visas, and 10 to 15 working days for some categories.
Pick your visa category and download its checklist from the VFS South Africa page for India. Book an appointment at a VFS centre. Submit your documents and give biometrics. Collect your passport when the High Commission in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai has decided.
From the official sources listed at the end of this page, checked on 26 October 2026. Visa rules and fees change, so confirm them on the official site before you apply.
Official sources
The visa facts on this page come from these official pages, checked on 26 October 2026. Rules and fees can change, so confirm them before you apply.
- VFS Global: South Africa visa information for India
- South African High Commission, New Delhi: visas
- Government of South Africa: Trusted Tour Operator Scheme