The GSA
All country guides

Country guide

India

Visa

Visa required

Vaccinations

Conditional

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR). It is illegal to take Indian currency out of the country.

Time zones

UTC / GMT +5½ (3½ hours ahead of South Africa)

Dialing code

+ 91

Best time to go

India is a large country, the best time to go depends on which area.

Drinking water

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available; ensure that the seal is closed.

Visa guide

Entry requirements

  • Passport of all applicants should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of departure from India.
  • Biometrics will be done on arrival at the Airport in India.
  • Travellers are to carry a copy of the ETA during the time of travel and must confirm that the status was shown as "granted" on the website prior to travelling.
  • NOTE: Carrying satellite phones by foreigners while coming to India is prohibited.

Visa requirements

All foreign nationals, including children, require a visa to enter India.

Applicants from South Africa and Lesotho applying for Tourist visa, medical visa, business visa, conference visa, medical attendant visa or emergency X Misc visa can apply for e-visa at: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

VISA REQUIREMENTS

  • Apply online at: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
  • During the online application, you will be required to upload a photograph and scanned copy of the bio page.
  • Other visa types may require additional supporting documentation

Issuing authorities

High Commission of India in Pretoria
852 Francis Baard Street, Arcadia 0083, Pretoria
Tel: 012 342 5392 - 5
Web: www.hcipretoria.gov.in
Mon-Fri:08:30 - 17:00

Consulate General of India, Cape Town
The Terraces, 8th Floor, 34 Bree Street, Cape Town 8001
Tel: 021 419 8110
Email: cgoffice.capetown@mea.gov.in
Web: www.cgicapetown.gov.in/
Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 17:30

Consulate General of India, Durban
1 Kingsmead Blvd, 2nd Floor, Kingsmead Office Park, Durban 4001
Tel: (031) 335 0300
Email: cgoffice.durban@mea.gov.in
Web: www.cgidurban.gov.in
Mon-Fri: 08:30- 17:00

Consulate-General of India, Johannesburg
1 Eton Road, Cnr. Jan Smuts and Eton Roads, Parktown 2193
Tel: 011 482 8484/5/6
Email: ccons.jburg@mea.gov.in
Web: www.cgijoburg.gov.in
Mon-Fri: 08:30- 17:00

Visa processing time

Up to 72 hours. Apply at least 4 days prior to travel.

Visa validity

Tourist Visa: 30 days /01 year / 05 years

For other visa types, please check the e-visa website.

Visa cost

E-visa is free to South African passport holders.

SA representative

S.A. High Commission, B18 Vasant Marg, Vasant
Vihar, New Delhi, 110057, India
Tel: 0091-11-2614-9411-19
E-mail: consular.newdelhi@dirco.gov.za
Web: www.dirco.gov.za/newdelhi/

Also accredited to Nepal and Bangladesh

Health / vaccinations

Compulsory: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk

Public holidays

2026: Jan 26; Mar 4, 21, 26, 31; Apr 3; May 1, 27; Jun 26; Aug 15, 26; Sep 4; Oct 2, 20; Nov 8, 24; Dec 25 (Additional optional holidays may be observed)

Please check with relevant authorities for the latest updates before travel.

Last updated: 5 August 2026