It will soon be simpler for Indians to go to South Africa. The Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), which will be implemented in January 2025, will streamline the entrance procedure for visitors from China and India. With this program, obtaining a visa will be faster and simpler, which should increase tourism.
South Africa to Offer 90-Day Visa Waiver: 10 Key Points To Know
- Visa Waiver Introduction: South Africa will implement a 90-day visa waiver for Indian tourists starting in January 2025.
- Easier Travel: The waiver is expected to simplify travel for Indian tourists, allowing them to stay in South Africa for up to three months without needing a visa.
- Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS): Alongside the visa waiver, the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) will launch in 2025, streamlining group visa applications for Indian and Chinese tourists.
- Quicker Processing: TTOS aims to reduce delays by allowing approved tour operators to handle group visa applications through a dedicated government team.
- Government’s Tourism Goals: South Africa is aiming to increase Indian tourism from 16,000 to 100,000 visitors annually by the end of 2025.
- Visa-Free Countries: Currently, Indian tourists need a visa to enter South Africa, but with the waiver, this requirement will be removed for stays of up to 90 days.
- Current Visa Application Process: Until the waiver takes effect, Indian travelers must apply for a short-term tourist visa via VFS Global, the official visa service provider.
- Visa Costs: The processing fee for a South African visa for Indian travelers is currently between Rs 2,300 and Rs 3,000, excluding other service charges.
- Potential eVisa System: South Africa has proposed an eVisa system for Indian travelers, though its implementation has not yet been confirmed.
- Tourism Recovery: The visa waiver and TTOS are part of South Africa’s effort to boost tourism, especially as the industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa launched the TTOS to make travel easier for visitors from nations like China and India that do not need a visa. The South African Government of Home Affairs said in a news release that “this scheme will allow approved tour operators to register with the department and submit group visa applications for their travelers, streamlining the process and cutting through red tape.”
According to the government, applications would be processed quickly and effectively by a dedicated staff, doing away with the delays that have often dogged South Africa’s tourist industry.
What does South Africa want Indian visitors to know?
By year’s end, South Africa hopes to have welcomed 100,000 Indian tourists, up from 16,000 at now. As of right now, 3% of foreign visitors to South Africa are Indian, and the press release said that authorities are eager to increase this percentage. The government intends to encourage more Indian tourists to choose South Africa as their destination by streamlining the visa application process for Indian visitors.
Also Read: New Zealand Hikes Entry Fees for Tourists Starting October
A 90-day visa waiver is planned.
In addition to TTOS, South Africa is thinking of granting visitors from China and India a 90-day visa waiver. If approved, this plan will facilitate travel even more by allowing trips for up to three months without a visa.
For Indian travelers, there isn’t currently a visa-on-arrival option. You must apply for a tourist visa if you want to go to South Africa. Here’s a detailed how-to:
Ascertain the kind of visa.
Indian visitors who want to visit South Africa for a maximum of 90 days must apply for a short-term tourist visa.
Gather the necessary paperwork.
- A current passport that is valid for at least 30 days after the date of visit and has two blank pages
- Filled out an Application for a Visa (BI-84).
- Two current passport-sized photos
- Evidence of financial capability (pay stubs, bank statements)
- Ticket for the confirmed return trip
- Evidence of lodging (a hotel reservation or an invitation letter)
- Everyday travel schedule
- Certificate of immunization against yellow fever, if appropriate
Fill out the VFS Global application form.
You must schedule an appointment with VFS Global, the authorized South African visa application center located in India. Pay the visa fee and turn in your documentation on the day of your appointment.
Processing time for visas: It is advisable to apply well in advance of the day you want to travel since the visa application procedure typically takes 5-7 working days.
Visa charge
Although there is no cost for Indian citizens to get a visa, there is an application and processing fee that ranges from Rs 2,300 to Rs 3,000. There is a 160 rupee convenience charge that applies to all various payment methods, including cash.
Monitor your submission
On the VFS Global website, you may verify the status of your visa by entering the reference number you submitted with your application.
Get your passport.
Upon approval, you will have the option to pick up your passport in person or have it sent via courier.
Conditions for admission at the port of entry
- Make sure you have the following prepared before you go to South Africa:
- a current visa
- Ticket for return flight
- Evidence of accommodations
- Evidence of enough funding
For Indian Travelers, an eVisa?
South Africa announced its intention to launch an eVisa system for travelers from India in May. Still, it hasn’t been put into practice yet.
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