General Visa Requirements
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
 

It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify visa particulars on receipt of passport and before traveling.

Finalize your travel arrangements only after you have ascertained visa requirements.

The Consulate reserves the right on granting & deciding type / duration of visa irrespective of the fees tendered. Visa fee once tendered is non refundable even if the visa is refused.

Granting of visas does not confer the right of entry and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.

Cases where a fresh application is filed during the validity of an existing visa, new visa will automatically annul existing visa irrespective of its validity still remaining and no fee refunds are admissible.

Children intending to travel to India must apply on a passport in their own names.

Applications can be filed through an agent also. However it's the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is duly filled in and the information provided is correct. Also the Consulate reserves the right to summon the applicant for an interview by the consular officer.

While every effort is taken for prompt processing, the Consulate will not be responsible for any delay in process or loss of passport or other documents.

In the following cases, processing of visa takes longer than the normal time:

(A) Applicants not residing in SOUTH AFRICA

(B) Where clearance from India is mandatory.

(C) Visitors to restricted areas and certain cases where certain documents may have to be verified.

In such cases, the visa section will contact the applicants about the time of delivery of passports. Please note that each application is examined individually and the time taken for issuing visas may vary from case to case.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Application form fully filled in. All columns of the form should be invariably filled in, failing which the application is liable to be rejected.

2. Original passport valid for at least 6 months and Copy of South African ID.

3. Correct visa fee

4. Two passport size color photographs

5. Copy of the ticket and itinerary

6. In case of visa other than tourist and transit, additional documents would be required. These can be ascertained by visiting our website indiainsouthafrica.com (go to visa services and then enter into FAQ- visa requirements) or from the consular section of the consulate (not on phone).

In certain cases the visa officer may also demand additional documentation such as the proof of accommodation in India / financial strength of the applicant.

ADDITIONAL FORMS

Additional forms are required to be filled in non South African residents, Sri Lankan and Bangladesh passport holders. Separate visa forms are required to be filled in by Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals and for long term 5 years visa.

VALIDITY OF VISA: Visa is valid for the given period from the date of issue.

Visa Fee: To view the visa fee applicable to various passports visit the Visa Fee section on the home page of our wbsite.

The visa fee can be paid at the counters only in cash. Fee can also be paid through bank transfer to below mentioned account, if the application is filed at Johannesburg:

BANK : FNB
BRANCH : ROSEBANK, JHB
BRANCH NO. : 253-305
ACCOUNT NO. : 50371108299
ACCOUNT NAME : CONSULATE General of India
REFERENCE    
Visa Services : VS+Initial+Surname
Swift Address : FIRZAJJ926

In case the application is submitted through mail/courier, fee can also be paid by attaching the Bank Draft of appropriate visa fee payable to `Consulate General of India, Johannesburg or Durban, depending where the application is filed or through bank transfer if the application is filed at Johannesburg. Cash should never be sent through mail/courier

Credit/ Debit Cards/ Personal cheques and Postal Orders are not accepted

APPLICATION BY POST

Normally the applicants are advised to file the application in person at the Consulate. However, those not resident in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban could submit the application through mail. Applicants are encouraged to use a courier service instead of sending through normal post. However, the Consulate does not take the responsibility for safe delivery of application, passports and the documents or delays in processing of visa. Please ensure to send valid passport, correct visa fee, and requisite documents and photograph. Also indicate the mode of collection of passport after issue of visa. If the visa is to be handed over to a courier service, give its details and also an authorization letter in its favour. Should the applicant desire the visa to be mailed, make sure to enclose appropriate sized, self addressed envelope, with correct amount of postal stamps affixed on it.

Delivery of Visa

The date of delivery of visa is indicated at the time of submission of application. It normally takes 2-3 days to process an application.

Visa can be collected through an agent who should produce his ID on demand and produce an authorization letter from the applicant.

Applicants are advised to avoid contacting the Consulate on phone to ascertain the status of their applications or the safe delivery of passports at the consulate.

For seeking any clarification regarding visa related matters, applicants are encouraged to serf the website indiainsouthafrica.com or send an email to vccons@indiconjoburg.co.za instead of approaching the Consulate on phone. The visa related queries are generally not answered on phone as the visa personnel are busy processing applications. Every effort however is made to reply to an email query at the earliest.



For more information on visa services click the following: