🇮🇳 India Embassy & Application Centre
Submission process, processing times, document requirements, and flight reservation guidance for India visa applications.
Where to apply
Issuing authority: Bureau of Immigration
Embassy/consulate location: Pretoria
Application route: BLS International
Processing time: 3-7 business days
Government fee: US$40 (approximate, varies by visa type)
e-Visa available for most nationalities. Apply 4 days before travel minimum.
Submission checklist
Whether you submit at the Pretoria embassy directly, via BLS International, or online, the file you assemble follows a similar pattern:
- Passport with 6+ months validity — bio page copy and any prior visas.
- Completed application form — typed, signed, with recent passport-size photo attached.
- Flight reservation — verifiable PNR showing entry to India on a real airline route, with return/onward dates aligned to your stated visit length.
- Accommodation proof — hotel bookings, host invitation, or rental agreement for the full stay.
- Financial documents — bank statements for the last 3-6 months showing sufficient funds.
- Travel insurance — most embassies require coverage for the full duration.
- Day-by-day itinerary — what you plan to do, especially for tourist applications.
- Letter of employment or proof of ties — to demonstrate you'll return.
Flight reservation requirements specific to India
The Bureau of Immigration requires every visa applicant to submit proof of onward and return travel. A flight reservation generated through an airline GDS (with a real PNR) is accepted. PDF "tickets" produced by free generators are routinely rejected because they cannot be verified.
For your India application, our recommendation:
- Use a 14-day validity reservation if your appointment is within 2 weeks.
- Choose carriers operating DEL arrivals: DEL, BOM, BLR.
- If the embassy explicitly accepts dummy tickets (most do not, but a reservation is different), have a real PNR ready.