Monday, May 20, 2024 The South African government is making significant efforts to simplify the visa application process for Indian tourists. Patricia de Lille, the Minister for Tourism, announced plans to expedite visa clearances and introduce an E-Visa system specifically for travelers from India. This announcement came during her media interaction at the Africa Indaba, the recently concluded South African tourism fair.
In addition to the E-Visa system, the Tourism Ministry is working on a proposal to grant a 90-day visa waiver for visitors from India and China. This proposal is currently under consideration by the President. If approved, Indian tourists would enjoy the same benefits as their counterparts from Russia and Brazil, who already receive a 90-day visa waiver each calendar year.
Moreover, Indian tourists might soon have the option to extend their visas while in South Africa. Key Points: In the first quarter of 2024, South Africa welcomed 16,000 Indian visitors, reflecting a growing interest in the country as a travel destination. Tourism South Africa has set an ambitious goal of attracting 100,000 Indian tourists in 2024.
The focus will be on promoting travel from tier II cities in India. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head of Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, emphasized this target earlier this year. Traditionally, the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany have been the largest sources of non-African visitors to South Africa.
However, there has been a noticeable i.
