- Capital
- New Delhi (DEL)
- Dialing Code
- + 91
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +5½
- Language
- Hindi and English
- Best Time to Go
- Region Dependent
- Currency
- Indian Rupee (INR)
Travel Tips
- It is illegal to take Indian currency out of the country
- All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available; ensure that the seal is closed
- 20 other languages are also spoken, including Urdu, Bengali and Punjabi
- Religious events can attract thousands of people, and stampedes are reported at these types of events
India is a large country, the best time to go depends on which area.
- Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan and Central India: October – March
- Himalayas: year-round, but are cold in December and January and wet from June to September
- Kolkata: hot from February – April and wet from June – September
- Kerala: April – May is very hot and June – August has heavy rain
- Goa: year-round, heavy rainfall is June – September; Mumbai: year-round, heavy rainfall in July and August
Last updated 30 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
High Commission of India in Pretoria
852 Francis Baard Street, Arcadia 0083, Pretoria
Telephone: 012 342 5392 - 5
Website: www.hcipretoria.gov.in
Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 17:00
Consulate General of India, Cape Town
The Terraces, 8th Floor, 34 Bree Street, Cape Town 8001
Telephone: 021 419 8110
Email: cgoffice.capetown@mea.gov.in
Website: www.cgicapetown.gov.in/
Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:30
Consulate General of India, Durban
1 Kingsmead Blvd, 2nd Floor, Kingsmead Office Park, Durban 4001
Telephone: (031) 335 0300
Email: cgoffice.durban@mea.gov.in
Website: www.cgidurban.gov.in
Monday - Friday, 08:30- 17:00
Consulate-General of India, Johannesburg
1 Eton Road, Cnr. Jan Smuts and Eton Roads, Parktown 2193
Telephone: 011 482 8484/5/6
Email: ccons.jburg@mea.gov.in
Website: www.cgijoburg.gov.in
Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 17:00
Public Holidays
2026
January: 26
March: 4, 21, 26, 31
April: 3
May: 1, 27
June: 26
August: 15, 26
September: 4
October: 2, 20
November: 8, 24
December: 25
Additional optional holidays may be observed
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
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
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
Carrying satellite phones by foreigners while coming to India is prohibited
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
South African Representative Abroad
South Africa High Commission
B18 Vasant Marg, Vasant, Vihar, New Delhi, 110057, India
Telephone: 0091-11-2614-9411-19
E-mail: consular.newdelhi@dirco.gov.za
Website: www.dirco.gov.za/newdelhi/
Also accredited to Nepal and Bangladesh