South Africa

Authorized Processing for Tourist, Business & Family Visits.

Indian passport holders can apply for a South Africa ETA online for tourism or business purposes. The ETA is free for Indian nationals, allows multiple entries, and is valid for 12 months with stays of up to 90 days per visit. Processing is typically under 24 hours. Entry is currently available through OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town, and Lanseria airports.

Last updated: June 2026 · Verified with South Africa Department of Home Affairs

Also Available

• eVisa — Single entry, 30-day stay, 5-15 working days processing. Use if entering through a land border or non-eligible airport.

• Indian passport holders (ordinary passport) ✅
• Passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure from South Africa
• Must have at least 2 blank pages in passport
• Currently available for entry through: OR Tambo International (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, and Lanseria International airports only
• ⚠️ If entering through a land border or other airports, you must apply for an eVisa instead
• Holders of South African residence or work permits do not need an ETA
• More airports and land ports expected to be added later in 2026

These are the standard documents required for the application.

1. Passport — Valid ordinary passport with 30+ days validity beyond departure date, 2 blank pages
2. Passport Photo — Digital selfie taken during the application process (the portal guides you through this)
3. Flight Tickets — Confirmed return or onward flight booking
4. Accommodation Proof — Hotel booking, Airbnb confirmation, or host's invitation for entire stay
5. Proof of Funds — Bank statement for last 3 months · Recommended balance: ₹30,000-₹50,000 per person
6. Yellow Fever Certificate — Only if transiting 12+ hours through a yellow fever country (Ethiopia, Kenya, etc.). Not required for direct flights or Dubai/Doha transit.

1. Send us your documents — WhatsApp scans of your passport, flight tickets, hotel booking, and bank statement
2. We prepare your application — We verify all documents and fill the ETA application on your behalf
3. Biometric selfie — You'll need to take a quick selfie and passport photo through the portal (we guide you through this step)
4. Application submitted — Filed on the official South Africa ETA portal (eta.dha.gov.za)
5. Receive your ETA — Digital authorisation delivered, typically within 24 hours. No printing needed — it's linked to your passport electronically.

✅ Licensed & experienced.

We're a licensed immigration consultancy with 4+ years of experience and thousands of visas processed across 40+ countries.

✅ We know the new system.

South Africa's ETA launched recently and the process keeps evolving. We stay updated with every phase rollout so you don't get caught by surprise at the airport.

✅ We check before we submit.

Most rejections happen because of avoidable mistakes — blurry scans, missing cover page, glasses in photos. We review every document before filing so your application doesn't get sent back.

✅ No guesswork on your end.

Send us your documents on WhatsApp. We tell you exactly what's missing, what needs to be re-done, and when to expect your visa. You don't need to figure out government portals or embassy websites.

✅ We handle the edge cases.

Previous visa refusal? Expired US visa? Minor traveling without both parents? We've processed these before and know what additional documents are needed — so you don't discover the problem after your application is rejected.

Q: Is the South Africa ETA really free for Indians? Yes. The South African government waives the visa fee for Indian citizens under reciprocal arrangements. There may be a small portal processing fee, but the government visa fee itself is free.

Q: What is the difference between ETA and eVisa? The ETA is a 12-month multiple-entry authorisation allowing 90-day stays, processed in under 24 hours, but currently only valid at 3 airports. The eVisa is a single-entry, 30-day visa that takes 5-15 working days but works at all ports of entry. For most tourists flying into Johannesburg or Cape Town, the ETA is faster and better.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever vaccination? Only if your flight transits 12+ hours through a yellow fever country like Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) or Kenya (Nairobi). Direct flights from India or transits through Dubai/Doha do not require it. We check your exact flight route and advise you.

Q: Can I extend my stay beyond 90 days? Yes. The ETA permits one 90-day extension, which can be applied for online while you're in South Africa. Apply before your current stay expires.

Q: Which airports accept the ETA? Currently only OR Tambo International (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, and Lanseria International. More airports and land ports are expected to be added later in 2026.

Q: Can I use the ETA for business purposes? Yes. The ETA covers both tourism and business visits. You do not need a separate business visa for meetings, conferences, or short-term business trips.

Q: What happens if my ETA is rejected? You can re-apply after addressing the reason for rejection. Common reasons include incomplete documents or passport validity issues. This is why we recommend getting your application verified before submission.

Q: How early should I apply? The ETA processes in under 24 hours for most applications, but we recommend applying at least 5-7 days before travel. During peak seasons (December, IPL), allow more time.