South Africa Visa For Indian Citizens

Whether you are heading to South Africa for tourism or for business, if you are an Indian citizen, you will need a visa. The good news is that it is quite easy for an Indian to get a visa for South Africa.

In this article, you will find all the South Africa visa information you need, including what documents to prepare and how to simplify your visa application process.

Table of contents

• South Africa Visa Policy for Indian Passport Holders
• Is it Possible to Apply for a South Africa Visa Online?
• South Africa Visa Application Process From India
• Documents Required for South Africa Tourist Visa
• South Africa Visa Photo Requirements
• Get a South Africa Visa Photo Online!
• Mobile Visa Photo Maker
• South Africa Visa Fees For Indians
• South Africa Visa Tracking and Waiting Times

South Africa Visa Policy for Indian Passport Holders

Do Indians need a visa for South Africa? Yes, Indian passport holders require a visa to visit South Africa. However, holders of Indian diplomatic, official, and service passports can enter the country without a visa.

South Africa. offers different types of visas depending on the purpose and length of stay. For example, for a single-entry Tourist Visa, you will get a validity of 90 days from the issuing date. You can apply for a visa extension if you wish to stay longer.

Is South African Visa-on-Arrival for Indian citizens available? No, Indian nationals are not eligible for a South African Visa-on-Arrival. You must apply for a tourist visa before your trip.

Here are the essential South Africa visa requirements for Indian citizens, planning to visit South Africa:

• You must hold an Indian passport, valid for at least 3 months after your departure.
• You must be able to cover the cost of your stay.
• You should be in good health.
• You should not have a criminal record.

Is it Possible to Apply for a South Africa Visa Online?

Yes, Indian passport holders can apply for their South Africa visa online through the e-Visa system. This means you do not need to submit your passport to the embassy.

The process is straightforward and convenient, taking only about 10 minutes to complete the application.

South Africa Visa Application Process From India

As an Indian citizen, you can apply for a South African visa online. Follow these simple steps:

1. Create an account on the official South Africa e-Visa Portal.
2. Fill in the South Africa visa application form online.
3. Submit your application and wait for it to be processed.
4. Once your application is approved, you will receive a digital copy of your e-visa. Print it out and carry it with your passport when travelling to South Africa.

Documents Required for South Africa Tourist Visa

Here is the list of documents required for a South African visa from India:

• Passport, valid for at least one month after the end of your trip, with two blank pages for visa and border stamps.
• Completed application form.
• Two photographs that meet the photo requirements for a South Africa visa.
• Return or onward ticket
• Itinerary details
• Confirmed accommodation
• Proof of payment of visa fee (if applicable)
• Financial statements, to show that you can afford your expenses in South Africa.
• Yellow Fever Certificate, if your itinerary originates or travels through a yellow fever endemic area in Africa or South America.

South Africa Visa Photo Requirements

Your photo for a visa for Indians to South Africa must follow these rules:

• The South Africa visa photo must be in colour.
• The size of the photo must be 35×45 mm.
• The head height should be 34.5 mm (including the top of the hair).
• There should be a 3 mm space from the top of the photo to the top of the head.
• For digital submissions, the image resolution should be 600 DPI.
• The background should be light grey.
• Your head should not be tilted.
• Your shoulders should be visible.
• Your face should be in the centre of the photo.
• You should have a neutral facial expression, with your mouth closed.
• If you wear glasses, you can keep them on for the photo, but your eyes must be visible, and the frame should not be too thick. Sunglasses are not allowed.
• If you wear a hat or cover your head for religious reasons, your facial features must still be visible.

Here is an example of a South Africa visa photo:

Get a South Africa Visa Photo Online!

Get a professional and compliant photo for your visa for South Africa for Indian passport holders from anywhere in the world by using Visafoto.com. It is a dedicated photo editing service with a remarkable 99.7% approval rate.

Take a photo against a plain white background using your phone or a digital camera and upload it to Visafoto.com. Visafoto will adjust the size, format, background colour, and face positioning to match South Africa's visa photo requirements.

In addition, you'll receive both a digital copy for online applications and a print-ready version. If you're unhappy with the result, you can get a full refund.

First, take a photo of yours like this one:

You will have two kinds of photos. A digital one is suitable for electronic applications and another one is for printing.

Mobile Visa Photo Maker

Another great option for making visa photos is the 7ID App, supported by Visafoto. This handy app lets you take and edit ID, passport, and visa photos right from your iPhone or Android device.

Upload your photo to the 7ID app and choose the document type and country. The app will automatically adjust your image to meet the official size, format, head position, and background colour requirements. You'll also get a digital file and a print-ready template that fits standard paper sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5.

For even better results, use the 7ID’s Expert Tool. It improves your photo quality with advanced algorithms, regardless of background. This is perfect for critical documents like visas, passports, and DV lottery applications. If you need help, our technical support team is available 24/7.

South Africa Visa Fees For Indians

According to recent updates, e-visa applications are free for Indian nationals.

South Africa Visa Tracking and Waiting Times

Usually, South African visa processing time is at least 7 working days and up to 30 days for most visa types.

You can track your South Africa visa application status through the dashboard on your e-Visa online portal. Just enter your application reference number and date of birth to monitor the progress of your visa application.

Get the perfect visa photo with Visafoto.com or the 7ID App and streamline your application process!

Good luck with your South Africa visa application!