India Visa Requirements for South African Citizens (2026)
Yes — but the whole process is online: South African passport holders apply for a India e-Visa. Maximum stay: 30 days. Cost: US$25. Every number on this page carries the date we last verified it.
Required documents
- A valid national passport together with a valid visa or eVisa — both are required for entry into India. [1]
- A completed eArrival Card, submitted online before arrival; this is arrival information, not a visa. [5]
- A Self-Declaration Form submitted at https://airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in/ before you reach the arrival immigration counters. [1]
Fees & processing
| Visa fee | US$25 — e-Visa |
|---|
From official-portal extracts (captured ):
- •The eVisa fee is USD 25.
- •The Government of India does not authorise any agent or intermediary to charge fees for emergency or express visas, eVisas or the eArrival card, so pay only through the official portal. [1]
How to apply
- Apply for the eVisa online yourself on the official government portal at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in. [1] [2]
- Do not pay any agent or intermediary for emergency, express visa, eVisa or eArrival card services, as the Government of India does not authorise them. [2]
- Complete and submit the eArrival Card online within 72 hours before your arrival in India. [5]
- Fill in the Self-Declaration Form at https://airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in/ before reaching the arrival immigration counters. [1]
- Present your passport, visa or eVisa and eArrival Card at the immigration counter on arrival. [1] [2]
Before you fly
- •Foreign nationals must complete and submit the eArrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival in India. [5]
- •All passengers must fill the Self-Declaration Form before reaching the arrival immigration counters. [1]
- •Entry requires a valid passport plus a regular visa, eVisa or OCI card, unless you are exempt under a bilateral arrangement. [1]
- •Visa on arrival at selected airports is available only to nationals of Japan, South Korea and certain UAE nationals. [2]
Full India entry guide — customs, health, long stays — on the destination page.
Watch out for
The eArrival Card is only arrival information and does not replace a visa. [5]
Beware of agents or intermediaries charging for visa or eArrival card services, as they are not authorised by the Government of India. [1]
Recent changes
- · confirmedKuwait
- · confirmedBahrain
- · confirmedreplaced emergency e-Visa with six categories of electronic visas for nationals of Afghanistan
- · confirmedresumed Qatar
- · confirmedresumed China (including Hong Kong and Macau), only for business e-Visa
- · confirmedBritish citizens of Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey, and British Overseas Territories citizens of Gibraltar
- · confirmedresumed Canada
- · confirmedsuspended Canada
- · confirmedresumed Saudi Arabia
- · confirmedresumed Canada
- · confirmedSaudi Arabia
- · confirmedQatar
Policy updates affecting this route
- · confirmedPaper arrival/departure (disembarkation) card completed on arrival → Foreigners and OCI holders must submit the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before arrival at boi.gov.in — India replaces paper arrival card with a mandatory online e-Arrival
Frequently asked
How long can South African citizens stay in India?
Up to 30 days.
How much does it cost?
US$25 — e-Visa.
What documents are required?
A valid national passport together with a valid visa or eVisa — both are required for entry into India.; A completed eArrival Card, submitted online before arrival; this is arrival information, not a visa.; A Self-Declaration Form submitted at https://airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in/ before you reach the arrival immigration counters..
Where do I apply?
Only on the official government portal: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Can I get a visa on arrival in India?
No. Visa on arrival at selected airports is limited to nationals of Japan, South Korea and certain UAE nationals; as a South African you should hold an eVisa before travel.
When should I submit the eArrival Card?
Within 72 hours before arrival, online at boi.gov.in or indianvisaonline.gov.in, or through the official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app.
Sources & last verified
Primary source: official government portal — indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Fact data cross-checked against English Wikipedia “Visa requirements for South African citizens” and “Visa policy of India”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 — attribution, not copied text.
Official-source extracts captured : [1] boi.gov.in [2] indianvisaonline.gov.in [3] mea.gov.in [4] boi.gov.in [5] boi.gov.in [6] boi.gov.in [7] boi.gov.in. Attribution to the publishing agencies; every bracketed number above points to its row here.
Last verified: . Entries, fees and rules change — confirm on the official portal before you travel.
This is general travel information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change and enforcement varies at the border — always confirm on the official portal before you travel.