Visa Rules

Last updated: 2025-04-24 07:00:27

Tourist Visa

Indian citizens planning a tourist trip to South Africa need to apply for a visa, not a visa on arrival, and can apply for a single-entry tourist visa with a validity of 90 days.

To apply for a tourist visa to South Africa, you'll need to prepare the following documents:

Documents Required

1. Passport

• Original valid passport (valid for at least 30 days after the intended stay/departure date from South Africa).

• At least two unused/blank visa pages.

• Copies of passport bio-data pages.

• Original old passport booklets if any.

2. Photographs

• Two color photographs (3.5 x 4.5 cm) with a white background and 80% face coverage.

• The photograph should be recent (not more than 1 month old).

• The applicant should be directly facing the camera, without dark/tinted glasses or any headgear (except for those who wear such headgear due to their ethnic/religious background and are seen wearing the same in their passport photo).

3. Bank Statements

• Proof of funds (Last 6 months’ bank statement on bank letterhead, signed and stamped by the bank, showing a balance of South African currency R 3000 or equivalent in INR for Delhi and Mumbai).

• Balance confirmation certificate from the bank on bank letterhead with the manager's sign and seal.

• Bank statements should be of relevant and active accounts showing proof of funds and income.

• Bank statements should be of a closing date closer to the date of visa application (A4 size preferred).

4. Covering Letter

• A covering letter per individual/family/company addressed to The Visa Officer, Consulate General of South Africa.

• The covering letter should briefly profile the applicant(s) and state the purpose of travel with travel dates.

• The covering letter can be on plain paper for individuals or on company letterhead for officials/sponsored applicants.

5. Itinerary / Air Tickets

• Valid flight ticket or proof of reservation.

• Day-wise itinerary of the tour.

6. Purpose of Travel / Accommodation

• Proof of accommodation/purpose at the destination/booking certificate and payment receipts from the tour operator.

• Proof of hotel booking (verifiable) stating the name, passport number of applicant(s), and duration of visit, physical address, as well as contact details of the hotel and authorized signature’s name, designation, and signature.

• Letter from South Africa with the name and details of the South African tour guide handling company partnering with (name) travel agency in South Africa, listing tourists and signed.

• Copy of the tour itinerary signed by the South African host tour handling company.

7. For Family Visit

• Letter of invitation from the South African hosts stating the name, passport number of the applicant, purpose, travel dates, and duration of the visit. The letter must include the physical address, contact details of the host, and the host’s/authorized signature’s name, designation, and signature.

• Host ID copy and invitation letter attested by the Commissioner of Oaths or South African Police.

• Host's passport copy and/or residence permit.

8. Supporting Credentials

• Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate if the applicant will travel through or stay in the yellow fever belt.

9. For Minors

• Child accompanied by both parents: Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBS).

• Child accompanied by one parent:

o      Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBS).

o Affidavit/Court order and Parental Consent Affidavit with ID copy from the other parent or death certificate (in case of the death of one parent).

• Child accompanied by someone other than a parent:

o Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBS).

o Affidavit/Court order and Parental Consent Affidavit with ID copy from the other parent or death certificate (in case of the death of one parent).

o Copies of ID documents/passport of the parents/legal guardian.

o Contact details of the parents or legal guardian.

• Orphaned Child:

o Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs may approve entry or departure of orphaned children traveling with a relative or a person related to his/her parents.

• Unaccompanied Child:

o Parental Consent Affidavit from one or both parents or legal guardian, as the case may be, in the form of an affidavit.

o Where one parent provides an affidavit granting full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child.

o A letter from the person who will receive the child in the Republic, with their residential address and contact details in the Republic.

o Copy of ID, valid passport, and visa or permanent residence permit of the person receiving the child in the Republic.

o Contact details of parents/legal guardian.

10. For Specific Groups

Businessmen:

o Proprietorship certificate / Certificate of Registration / Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association / Partnership Deed.

o NOC from other partners or directors in case of a partnership.

Employees:

o Leave sanction letter from the company (from the government body in case of government employees/public servants).

o Last 3 months' salary statements (only for private firms).

o Company ID card (optional).

o Retirement certificate or letter / Copy of pension book (for retired employees).

Students:

o Leave sanction letter from the educational institution (for travel during working days).

o Bonafide certificate from the educational institution (for travel during vacations).

o School/college ID card (optional).

    Newly Wed / Honeymooners (if the spouse's name is not endorsed in their passports):

o Marriage certificate (original).

o Wedding invitation card/photographs (in case the marriage certificate is not ready).

Travelers unaccompanied by spouses/partners:

o A notary-attested NOC on a stamp paper from the unaccompanied spouse.

o Passport copy of the unaccompanied spouse. If not a passport holder, any government ID proof mentioning spouse name can be submitted.

11. Additional Supporting Documents (if available)

• FD receipts from banks.

• Public shares/debentures certificate.

• Asset evaluation report from a CA.

Steps to Apply

1. Gather Documents: Collect all the required documents as listed.

2. Prepare Covering Letter: Write and print the covering letter.

3. Bank Statements: Ensure the bank statements are recent and properly authenticated by the bank.

4. Photographs: Get passport-size photographs as specified.

5. Submit Application: Visit the Embassy of South Africa or the designated visa application center to submit your application along with all the required documents.

Ensure you check with the South African embassy or consulate for any updates or additional requirements before applying.

Disclaimers

The above list of documents is the standard requirement for the visa application. The Embassy/Consulate/High Commission/Application Centres reserve the right to request additional documents for verification.

Travelspoc does not guarantee the outcome of any visa application. Decisions on visa applications are at the sole discretion of the respective Embassy/Consulate/High Commission.

Visa Application Centres and Embassy Information

Visa Application Centres: Delhi, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Kolkatta, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bangalore  

High Commission of South Africa, Delhi   

Address: B-18 Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110 057

Tel : (9111) 2614-9411 upto 9420  

Email : dtidelhi@thedti.gov.za  

Consulate General of Republic of South Africa, Mumbai 

Address: Gandhi Mansion, 20 Altamount Road, Mumbai- 400 026

Tel : + 91 22 2351 3725  

Email : sacgmum@gmail.com

For eligible nationalities, South Africa offers an online eVisa application system: