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Indian passport · South Africa

Do Indian passport holders need a visa for South Africa?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 6 Nov 2026

In brief

Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa for South Africa, applied for online as an eVisa.

South Africa visa fee for Indians: Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa (only diplomatic, official and service passports are exempt, for 90 days), and DHA's list marks India as not subject to visa fees. Official fee. Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, checked .

South Africa visa processing time for Indians: If approved, the ETA arrives within 24 hours and can be stored in the digital wallet on your phone. Source: Department of Home Affairs, South Africa, checked .

Conditions: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at eta.dha.gov.za, a visa issued online, for arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka or Lanseria airports; otherwise a visa from a South African mission before travel.

I’m happy to report that the Electronic Travel Authorisation system is now live in China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. Today, travellers from these source markets can receive visa outcomes digitally within 24 hours from the comfort of their homes and cellphones.Minister of Tourism, South African Government (gov.za)

Checked 6 Nov 2026Source: Minister of Tourism, South African Government (gov.za)Apply only at eta.dha.gov.zaReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do Indians need a visa?
  4. Visa types
  5. Apply from India
  6. Fee
  7. Processing time
  8. Documents
  9. If you live in the UAE
  10. What changed
  11. FAQ
  12. Sources

At a glance

AccesseVisaElectronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at eta.dha.gov.za, a visa issued online, for arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka or Lanseria airports; otherwise a visa from a South African mission before travel
StayTravellers admitted for up to 90 days can apply through the ETA to extend their stay by up to a further 90 days.4
Validity and entriesNot stated by the official source
Official feeIndian ordinary passport holders need a visa (only diplomatic, official and service passports are exempt, for 90 days), and DHA's list marks India as not subject to visa fees.2
Official processingIf approved, the ETA arrives within 24 hours and can be stored in the digital wallet on your phone.4
Where to applyApply for the ETA online at eta.dha.gov.za: register a profile with one-time PIN checks of your phone and email, scan your passport, upload a selfie and pay.4Official site: eta.dha.gov.za

Do Indians need a visa for South Africa?

Minister of Tourism, South African Government (gov.za) lists India among the countries whose nationals can get an eVisa online. Conditions: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at eta.dha.gov.za, a visa issued online, for arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka or Lanseria airports; otherwise a visa from a South African mission before travel.

“I’m happy to report that the Electronic Travel Authorisation system is now live in China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. Today, travellers from these source markets can receive visa outcomes digitally within 24 hours from the comfort of their homes and cellphones.”

Minister of Tourism, South African Government (gov.za) · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • Indian tour groups can also travel under the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme, in which vetted tour operators upload the group's visa applications online and get digital outcomes within about 24 hours.

    TTOS was conceptualised by Minister Schreiber to address the long-standing challenge faced by tour operators in bringing large tour groups from the burgeoning source markets of India and China to South Africa. ... with a new online system whereby tour operators upload applications online and get digital outcomes, on average, within 24 hours.Department of Home Affairs, South Africa · checked

South Africa visa types for Indians

How to apply from India

  1. Apply for the ETA online at eta.dha.gov.za: register a profile with one-time PIN checks of your phone and email, scan your passport, upload a selfie and pay.

    Department of Home Affairs, South Africa · checked

  2. In India, visa applications go to the VFS application centres; the South African High Commission in New Delhi takes applications directly only from diplomatic and official passport holders.

    South African High Commission in New Delhi · checked

Fee

  • Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa (only diplomatic, official and service passports are exempt, for 90 days), and DHA's list marks India as not subject to visa fees.

    Department of Home Affairs, South Africa · checked

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

Documents and entry checks

If you live in the UAE

We have not checked a separate rule for UAE residents for South Africa.

What changed

  1. South Africa officially launched the ETA on 12 August 2026 after piloting it for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, and plans to make it compulsory step by step for short visits by nationals who need port-of-entry visas. Department of Home Affairs, South Africa · checked
  2. South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) went live for tourists from India, China, Indonesia and Mexico in October 2025. Department of Home Affairs, South Africa · checked
  3. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is South Africa visa-free for Indians now?

No. Indians need a visa, applied for online as an eVisa.

How much does a South Africa visa cost in India?

Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa (only diplomatic, official and service passports are exempt, for 90 days), and DHA's list marks India as not subject to visa fees.

Can I get a South Africa visa in 7 days?

If approved, the ETA arrives within 24 hours and can be stored in the digital wallet on your phone.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Minister of Tourism, South African Government (gov.za): entry rulegov.za · checked
  2. Department of Home Affairs, South Africa: feesdha.gov.za · checked
  3. Department of Home Affairs, South Africa (Budget Vote speech by the Minister of Home Affairs, NCOP): changesdha.gov.za · checked
  4. Department of Home Affairs, South Africa (address by the Minister of Home Affairs at the ETA launch): changes, how to apply, processing time, documents and visa typesdha.gov.za · checked
  5. South African High Commission in New Delhi (Department of International Relations and Cooperation): how to applydirco.gov.za · checked
  6. Department of Home Affairs, South Africa (Ministry of Home Affairs statement, 8 August 2025): entry conditionsdha.gov.za · checked
  7. Department of Home Affairs, South Africa (e-Visa portal FAQ): documentsehome.dha.gov.za · checked
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