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South Africa visa for Indians

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Are you excited by the idea of visiting South Africa? A country rich in beauty and biodiversity, South Africa stands as the perfect destination to look for business prospects and also to have a memorable vacation. But, while planning your South Africa trip, one thing you have to keep in mind is applying for a visa. A South African visa enables you to enter the territory of the country and explore different destinations as per your requirements.

Check below for all you need to know about the South Africa Visa For Indians.

Do Indians Need a Visa for South Africa?
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Yes, as an ordinary Indian tourist, you will need a visa to enter South Africa. Only those with diplomatic or official passports are exempt from South Africa's visa requirements for Indian citizens.
A visa shows that a South African embassy or consulate has deemed you eligible to enter their country. However, there is no option for a visa on arrival if you want a South African visa for Indians. You must file your visa application online.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for South Africa Visa for Indians
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If you want to go to South Africa, there are a few things you must know. Here are the South African visa requirements for Indian citizens:

You should have a valid Indian passport that should be valid for at least 3 months after your trip ends.

The cost of your stay must be covered.

Different Types of South African Visas for Indians
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The South African government offers different visas as per the needs of the applicants. The main South African visa types you can choose from are discussed below.

Visitor’s Visa
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This visa is issued for tourism purposes to foreigners who want to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days. It can also be issued for research, sports, and business purposes, provided the maximum duration of stay does not exceed 90 days.

Business Visa
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Business people who want to invest in or start a new business should opt for a business visa for South Africa. As a business visa holder, you can also study part-time without having to change your visa.

General Work Visa
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When an employer in South Africa can’t find suitable candidates, he can hire people from abroad. In such cases, an employee in India may qualify for a work visa.

Critical Skills Work Visa
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Individuals with specialised skills are the target of this visa. The South African government publishes a list of critical skills, and foreign professionals who possess these skills can apply for this visa.

To be eligible for this visa, your professional qualifications must be vetted by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa
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If a company wants to transfer its employees from India to South Africa, then the concerned employee can apply for this visa. 

For the employee to be eligible, he must have worked at least six months for the company in India prior to his transfer.

Under all three categories of work visas, the applicant is eligible to study part-time.

Study Visa
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Indians who want to study at specific institutions in South Africa can opt for this visa. The student will need medical insurance for this visa. 

The holder of a student visa can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week on a part-time basis.

Through ACKO, you can get the 90-day Single Entry South African Tourist visa, which means:

You are allowed to enter South Africa once and stay for a maximum of 90 days from the entry date.

Validity of South Africa Visa for Indians
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Unless you opt for a long-term multiple-entry visa, the South African e-visa validity is typically up to 90 days. Other categories meant for studies and business have a longer validity. Here’s a breakdown.

South Africa Visa Types

Maximum Validity

Visitor’s Visa

90 days

Business Visa

5 years

General Work Visa

5 years

Critical Skills Work Visa

5 years


Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa 

4 years

Study Visa

8 years

Processing Time of South Africa Visa for Indians
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We will send your South African visa application to the embassy when your booking is confirmed. If no other documents are needed, the Embassy approves the South Africa visa in 60–65 working days. 

To avoid any uncertainties, it is recommended to apply for the visa well in advance, preferably at least 4 months before your travel.

South Africa Visa Fees for Indians
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Through ACKO for a Single Entry Tourist Visa, the South Africa visa fees would be around INR 4,585* per person. With this visa, you can stay for 90 days with a validity period of 90 days. 

Note: If the South African Embassy rejects your visa, the fees will not be refunded, and the prices are subject to change.

Why Choose ACKO to Apply for a South Africa Visa?
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Worldwide Visa Assistance
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We make it easy and quick to get visas for all international countries.

End-to-End Process
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From submitting documents to getting your visa in your email, we assist you with everything.

Pay As You Wish
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Select the payment method to pay for your visa fees.

Track Real-Time Progress
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You can track your visas' real-time progress by downloading the application.

Documents Required for a South African Visa for Indians
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The documents listed below are what you need to keep in mind while applying for a South African visa as an Indian citizen.

Photograph Requirements
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You must upload your photograph while applying for your South Africa visa. Here are the specifications for the same.

How do I apply for a South African visa from India?
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Here are the steps you must follow to apply for a South African visa through ACKO.

Step 1: Click here and visit the official page.

Step 2: Choose the type of visa you want.

Step 3: One by one, fill in your personal details.

Step 4: Submit all the required documents. These typically include:

- Passport with at least 6 months validity

- Completed visa application form

- Passport-size photographs

- Return ticket

Step 5: Read the “Declaration” and select “ I declare that I have read and understand the declaration and accept the terms and conditions.” Finally, click "Submit."

Step 6: Pay the visa fees.

Once the visa officials accept your application, you will get an email with an update about your South Africa e-visa for Indians.

Why do South African visas for Indians get rejected?
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There are cases when South African visa authorities reject certain visa applications.

Your application for a South Africa visa for Indians can get rejected for the following reasons.

What to Do If My South Africa Visa Gets Rejected?
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Rejection of your South African visa for Indians can be a setback. The suggestions below can help you solve your South Africa e-visa problems and submit a successful visa application.

  1. Verify that all the information provided by you in the application is correct. There should not be any discrepancy between your passport details and your application.

  2. After finding out where you went wrong earlier, you can again submit an application for South African e-visa for Indians.

  3. You can contact the officials at the South African Embassy or Consulate regarding the rejection of your application. Maybe they will shed a better light on the issue.

  4. In your next application, upload your documents correctly. This will convince the visa officials about the authenticity of your application.

Things to Remember for an Indian Regarding South African Visa 
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If you want a South Africa visa for Indians, you should not get confused amid all the information that you have to fill out in the application form. Here are some things worth bearing in mind.

  1. Different visas are provided for different objectives. Thoroughly analyse what you want to achieve with your trip and apply for the right visa accordingly.

  2. When you fill up your application, carefully ensure that the details match the information in your passport.

  3. It is possible that the embassy or consulate officials would want you to pay a visit. In such a case, you should keep your documents handy.

  4. Though travel insurance is not mandatory for a  South African trip, we strongly recommend that you buy one before your visit. It will give you financial security in case of any unforeseen expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions
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As a visa applicant, it is natural to have questions about South African visas for Indians. Here are some questions people commonly ask.

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What is the South Africa e-visa for Indians?

It is essentially a permit, which proves that South African visa authorities have reviewed your visa application and permitted you to visit the country. The activities you can take part in in South Africa will be defined by the type of visa you get.

Where should I apply for a South African visa for Indians?

You can file your application by visiting our website for South African e-visas.

Can I apply for a South African visa online?

Yes. You can apply for a South Africa sticker visa for Indians via our official visa portal for South Africa. It's very easy and convenient, and it will take hardly 5 minutes to complete the application.

What will the validity of my visa be?

For a single-entry tourist visa, you will get a validity of 90 days from the issuing date.

How many types of South African visas are available?

Broadly, depending on the duration and purpose of your visa, you will find two categories of visas.

  • Single Entry Visa 
  • Multiple Entry Visa

However, through ACKO, you can apply for a single entry visa visit.

Is there an option for a South Africa visa on arrival for Indians?

No, if you want to travel to South Africa, you must first apply for and acquire a visa in India before landing in South Africa.

Do I need medical insurance to get a South Africa visa for Indians?

It depends on the visa you apply for. While ordinarily there is no need for medical cover, you would need insurance in case you apply for a study visa, for example.

What are the specifications for uploading documents?

Some of the important factors are:

  • The document names should not have special characters such as @$%&.
  • The files should not be password protected.
  • The maximum size for uploaded files is 5 MB.
  • If your qualifications have been translated into English, they must be officially certified.

 

How much time does the South Africa e-visa application take to get approved?

The South African visa application can take between a few days and months.

 I had made mistakes in my visa application. Can the e-visa be changed later?

No change is possible after your e-visa is issued. If necessary, you can again apply for an e-visa.