South African Passport Holders
India e-Visa for South African Citizens
Start with the trip rather than the paperwork: what is it for? Tourist, Business and Medical are the three e-Visa categories on this site, and each carries its own purposes, documents and price. Choose your path below, then follow it through.
This is general information for South African passport holders. Eligibility is not guaranteed, and nothing here promises approval.
Pick Your Path
Answer one question: what is the main reason you are going?
Three Categories, Compared by What Matters
Tourist e-Visa
- Best for
- Trips for rest and sightseeing, or to visit family and friends.
- Check first
- Which tourist purpose matches your plans; each one lists its own documents.
- Keep in mind
- Short courses list a letter from the course provider, and short-term volunteering a letter from the voluntary organization.
Business e-Visa
- Best for
- Work-related trips such as meetings, trade fairs and conferences.
- Check first
- The exact purpose of your visit; the page shows what each business purpose asks for.
- Keep in mind
- An invitation letter is listed as optional, if applicable, for business meetings, while conference visits list one from the event organizer.
Medical e-Visa
- Best for
- Medical trips: a consultation, treatment or follow-up care.
- Check first
- The letter from the hospital or treatment institution that the medical lists include.
- Keep in mind
- Accompanying a patient may need a different visa category.
What the Service Costs
Five options, each with a Regular and an Express price. These are published website service prices in USD. South Africa has no country-specific price, so this is the standard list.
| Option | Regular | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-Visa30 days | USD 85 | USD 105 |
| Tourist e-Visa1 year | USD 140 | USD 180 |
| Tourist e-Visa5 years | USD 400 | USD 500 |
| Business e-Visa1 year | USD 300 | USD 400 |
| Medical e-Visa60 days | USD 220 | USD 250 |
How Long Each Service Is Estimated to Take
These estimates are given in working days. They are not guaranteed approval or delivery times.
Regular
4–5 working days
Express
2–3 working days
Your Preparation Folder
Think of five labeled tabs. Fill them in order and the requirements guide will do the rest.
- Passport details
Passport details: Keep the passport you will use beside you and copy every detail exactly as printed.
- Photograph
Photograph: Every list includes a recent color photograph. Photograph requirements may vary, so check the current specifications before applying.
- Travel purpose
Travel purpose: Your purpose decides which list applies, so write it down before you collect anything.
- Supporting documents
Supporting documents: Beyond the passport scan and the photograph, collect only what your purpose lists.
- Consistent details
Consistent details: Save clear, readable files in one folder, and read everything once more before you rely on it.
Plan Backwards From Your Departure Date
For travelers in South Africa, the most useful discipline is sequence: work out your timing before you commit to bookings. Nothing here changes how a South African passport is treated; it keeps your planning in order.
Step 1: Fix the dates
Settle your travel dates before you choose a service speed.
Step 2: Pick a speed
Compare the Regular and Express estimates with the days you have. The Express price is higher in every row of the table.
Step 3: Leave slack
Estimates are not guarantees, so keep spare days between your plan and your departure.
Step 4: Book last
Treat flights and accommodation as the final step, once category, price and documents are settled.
Pre-Travel Tick Sheet
- Purpose written down
- Category page read
- Price row noted
- Service speed chosen
- Passport details copied
- Photograph ready
- Extra documents listed
- Names and dates matched
Ready to apply?
Questions from South African Travelers
How do I know which e-Visa fits my trip?
Look at the main reason you are going. A holiday or family visit points to the Tourist e-Visa, a meeting or conference to the Business e-Visa, and treatment to the Medical e-Visa. If the trip mixes reasons, check current guidance carefully instead of guessing, and weigh the options in the comparison of the three visa types.
Why does each option show two prices?
Each option is listed with a Regular price and a higher Express price, matching the two service speeds. The figures are published website service prices in USD, and the fees page lists them with entry type and validity.
How should I read the 4–5 and 2–3 working day figures?
They are estimates of how long the Regular and Express services take, counted in working days. They are not guaranteed approval or delivery times, so leave spare days.
What can I gather before I know my category?
Two items appear on every list: a scanned copy of your passport's bio-data page and a recent color photograph. Collect those, then let the requirements guide show what your purpose adds.
What should South African passport holders have ready before applying for an India eVisa?
Choose the category and service level that match your trip, then have your passport details, a recent photograph, your travel dates and any supporting documents ready, so you can enter every detail exactly as it appears in your documents.