Travel Insurance South Africa

• Travel assistance
• Cover for cancellation and delay of flights
• Hijack cover
• Assistance during the trip
• Check-in Baggage Cover
• Personal Liability Cover
• Accident and Illness Cover
• Covid-19 Cover
• Passport Loss
• Feasible travel insurance plans, starting at ₹40.82 per day*
• Automatic extension of your travel insurance for South Africa plan for upto 60 days or date of discharge whichever is lesser in the event of hospitalization close to the expiry date of the plan
• Automatic extension of your travel insurance policy for 7 days if your flight gets delayed or cancelled.

International travel has no shortage of challenges and different factors that need to be considered. Therefore, before you travel to any international destination, you must invest adequate time in planning and researching said factors. This could include the situations prevailing in the country and its surrounding areas that may have a bearing on your travel plans.

Some of the key factors you must keep in mind while planning your trip to South Africa are the visa requirements and application process, the entry restrictions for South Africa, your travel arrangements, your hotel bookings, etc. In addition to this, you must also ascertain what the best time to visit the nation is.

One of the most important things to check off your checklist is the selection and purchase of a suitable travel insurance policy for South Africa after you compare travel insurance plans with our online travel insurance premium calculator. You must dedicate time and effort to this process so as to finalise the best travel insurance for South Africa for yourself and your travel companions.

An ideal travel insurance plan must provide you sufficient coverage against a variety of travel-related risks, such as flight delays, accidents, Hijack, loss of passport, baggage loss and flight delay, etc. This is precisely what we offer with the Tata AIG South Africa Travel Insurance Plan. With features and benefits aplenty, our Travel Insurance South Africa policy provides you with extensive travel insurance coverage at a feasible price.

Irrespective of the depth of the planning and preparation you engage in prior to your trip to South Africa, a myriad of events carry the potential to mar those plans. Whether it is the political situation in South Africa or the prevailing international travel regulations, there are several factors that need to be accounted for whilst making and adapting your travel plans.

Therefore, it is important to stay abreast of the latest situation in your planned travel destination as well as the entry requirements for Indian citizens there. Furthermore, you must also acquaint yourself with the COVID-19 specific travel and entry guidelines for South Africa. In light of the volatile and ever-evolving nature of an international trip, particularly in the present pandemic-ridden global environment, it is pivotal to opt for a suitable travel insurance policy.

An optimal travel insurance plan can provide you with a layer of financial protection against several unfortunate events that may come to pass during your trip. If you happen to fall ill during the journey or meet with an accident, your travel insurance policy shall cover the expenses incurred in the treatment, including hospitalisation (if required).

In addition to a cover for any medical emergencies, a travel insurance plan offers a cover for loss or delay of your baggage, loss of passport, flight delays and cancellations, etc. The Tata AIG South Africa Travel Insurance Plan offers all the covers mentioned above at a feasible price. By comparing travel insurance online and selecting this plan, you can ensure that your trip to South Africa is secured against several potentially challenging events.

If you opt for the Tata AIG South Africa Travel Insurance Plan, you may be able to enjoy the best travel insurance for South Africa with extensive travel insurance coverage. Some of the covers included in this plan have been discussed below.

1. Baggage Cover

Whilst passing through any of the airports during your international journey, there is a risk of your baggage being delayed or getting lost. In order to protect you against such an event, the Tata AIG South Africa Travel Insurance Plan comprises a baggage cover. This cover provides you with the option to claim reimbursement for the cost of the items in your check-in baggage.

2. Journey Cover

The Tata AIG South Africa Travel Insurance plan offers you substantial financial protection during your journey, including a cover for the loss of your passport, any delays or cancellations of your flights during the trip, and cancellations pertaining to your hotel bookings.

3. Medical Cover

With The Tata AIG South Africa Travel Health Insurance Plan, you can benefit from a medical insurance cover during your trip. Should you fall ill during your journey to and from and stay in South Africa or meet with an accident, the resultant expenses for the required treatment shall be covered by this plan.

Furthermore, as a result of the enhanced risk for international travel owing to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we have incorporated a cover for the diagnosis and treatment for the coronavirus in our South Africa Travel Insurance Plan. What is more, is that this plan has the benefit of an automatic extension for 60 days or date of discharge whichever is lesser in the event of you being hospitalised in South Africa close to the expiry date of the plan.

4. Other benefits

Here are some of the other benefits of our travel insurance plan for South Africa:

• Travel Medical Insurance South Africa, starting at just ₹40.82 per day*
• Swift and simple purchase process for your travel insurance plan for South Africa on our website
• No medical check-up required to purchase the Tata AIG Travel Insurance South Africa Plan
• The option to pay your travel insurance premium in ₹ and get travel insurance coverage in $.

Visa Information For South Africa

All Indian citizens travelling to South Africa are required to have a pre-approved visa. There are several types of visas available for people visiting South Africa, depending upon the purpose of the visit and the intended duration of the stay. Therefore, it is important to select the right type of visa for your visit to South Africa before you start the application process.

Here are the different types of visas available for Indians who wish to travel to South Africa:

1. South Africa Tourist Visa: A Tourist Visa for South Africa is a short-stay visa that is granted to people travelling to the country for tourism. This visa is valid for a maximum period of 3 months. You can apply for this visa by visiting the embassy and/or consulates of South Africa in India. An e-tourist visa for South Africa is slated to be launched soon. This visa will eliminate the need to physically visit the embassy to apply for a visa for South Africa.

2. South Africa Business Visa: Indian nationals who wish to travel to South Africa for business purposes must apply for a business visa to the country. This visa has been specifically designed for people who want to start a business in South Africa or invest in an existing business there. The South Africa Business Visa is valid for a maximum period of 90 days.

3. South Africa Visit Visa: Valid for a maximum duration of 3 months, a South Africa Visit Visa can be issued to people visiting the country for one of the following reasons:

• Visiting friends and/or family;
• Visiting for business purposes;
• Visiting a spouse who studies or works in South Africa;
• Visiting parents who study or work in South Africa;
• Visiting for scientific research;
• Visiting to participate in a sports event;
• Visiting to participate in an academic programme lasting not longer than 3 months;
• Visiting for medical treatment;
• Visiting to work on a television show or a film; etc.

4. South Africa Work Visa: This visa is granted to foreign nationals employed in South Africa. The duration of a South Africa Work Visa depends on the type of visa that is granted and the duration of the intended stay of an individual in the country on said visa. There are four main types of this visa, namely:

• General Work Visa
• Critical Skills Work Visa
• Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa
• Corporate Visa

5. South Africa Study Visa: Students who wish to pursue an academic programme in South Africa are required to apply for a South Africa Study Visa. Any such course that exceeds one to three months necessitates a pre-approved study visa. For short-term academic programmes or exchange programmes, a tourist visa or visitors visa can suffice.

6. South Africa Medical Visa: People travelling to South Africa for any medical treatments must apply for a South Africa Medical Visa. This visa is granted for a stay of up to six months in the country for the course of a medical treatment advised by a doctor or a medical institution.

7. South Africa Relatives' Visa: This visa is available for people whose immediate relatives are citizens and/or residents of South Africa. A South Africa Relatives' Visa is issued for a maximum duration of 2 years.

8. South Africa Exchange Visa: Foreign nations who wish to participate in a cultural, social, or economic exchange programme in South Africa can apply for a South Africa Exchange Visa. Such a programme must be organised by a state institution or a higher education institution in the public sector in collaboration with the government of South Africa.

This type of visa is available only for people who are 25 years of age or below, and the duration of the visa is determined on the basis of the duration of the programme it is issued for.

9. Retired Persons Visa: This type of visa has been designed for people who wish to live in South Africa post their retirement. It is important to note that only foreign nations who receive a monthly payment or pension of ₹37,000 or above can apply for a South Africa Visa for Retired Persons.

Process of Application for a South African Visa

Indian citizens who are planning to travel to South Africa and applying for a visa for this purpose must follow the process mentioned below.

1. Decide the type of Visa you need to apply for: The first step in the application process for a South African visa is the determination of the type of visa you wish to apply for. This decision is based on several factors, including your purpose of visiting the country and the intended duration of your stay therein.

2. Book an appointment with the South African Embassy in India: The next step in the visa application process is to book an appointment with the embassy of South Africa in India. Since India is not yet on the list of nations for which a South African e-visa is available, you have to follow the offline mode of visa application.

3. Visit the Embassy at the appointed time: After making an appointment with the South African embassy in India, you are required to visit the embassy at the designated time. It is pivotal to carry all the necessary documents for this visa application appointment.

4. Pay the Visa Fee: After attending your visa application appointment, you must make the payment of the visa fee in accordance with the type of visa you have applied for.

5. Visit the Embassy to collect your visa: Once your visa application has been approved, you are required to revisit the South African Embassy in India to collect the visa and fulfil any other necessary formalities.

Note: The High Commission of South Africa in India is located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, and the South African Consulate General in India is located in Lower Parel, Mumbai.
Documents Required By Indian Nationals Applying For a South African Visa

Here is a list of the documents required by Indian nationals who are applying for a visa for South Africa.

1. A passport with a minimum validity of 30 days from the date of departure for South Africa from India;
2. A duly filled and signed Visa Application Form, namely Form BI-84;
3. The proof of payment of the requisite visa application fee;
4. The proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination (if required);
5. The documentary evidence of the applicant's purpose of visiting South Africa;
6. The documentary evidence of the applicant's intended duration of stay in South Africa;
7. Two recent passport-sized photographs;
8. A copy of the return tickets or onward journey tickets;
9. The proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the applicant's stay in South Africa;
10. The proof of guardianship or custody for a minor (for people travelling to South Africa with minors); In the absence of the aforementioned document, the proof of the requisite consent from the minor's guardian shall be required to be submitted.

Indian citizens travelling to South Africa must adhere to certain entry requirements, which have been discussed below.

1. A passport valid for at least 30 days;
2. Two recent passport-sized photographs;
3. A pre-approved visa for South Africa;
4. The proof of the visitor's intended accommodation in South Africa;
5. The proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of the visitor's stay in South Africa;
6. The proof of return tickets or onward journey;
7. The proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination (if required).

COVID-19 Specific Entry Requirements: In light of the increased risks associated with international travel due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is an additional entry requirement for travelling to South Africa. All travellers to South Africa are required to submit a negative PCR report upon arrival at an airport in the country.

This test must have been conducted not earlier than 72 hours prior to a traveller's departure from their country. People living in cross-border areas and commuting to South Africa on a daily basis are exempt from this requirement, as are travellers below the age of 5 years.

If you are travelling to South Africa, it is pivotal to carry certain important documents, including:

1. A valid passport;
2. A valid South African visa;
3. A copy of your travel and stay itinerary;
4. Valid travel insurance for South Africa visa;
5. The proof of sufficient funds for you stay in South Africa;
6. Two recent passport-sized photographs;
7. The proof of vaccination for Yellow Fever (if required);
8. A negative PCR Test Report for a test conducted not earlier than 72 hours before departure for South Africa;
9. The proof of your intended accommodation in South Africa;
10. For people travelling to South Africa with minors:
    ● Either the proof of guardianship or custody, or
    ● The proof of consent from the guardian of the minor.

If you are planning to travel to South Africa, you must keep several safety and precautionary measures in mind. Some of these measures have been discussed below.

• Ensure that your passport is always with you.
• Adhere to all the local laws and regulations.
• Protect your belongings at all times.
• Avoid going to crowded areas or areas where there is any unrest or protests.
• Do not engage in any activity that violates public decorum.
• Make use of public transportation and trusted means of transportation.
• Do not travel to any place without sufficient research and preparation.
• Stay abreast of the happenings in the country through a perusal of the news.
• Do not stay in South Africa beyond the validity period of your visa:
• Have a plan to resort to during emergency situations.
• Keep the contact details of the Indian embassy in South Africa handy.
• Purchase a suitable Travel Medical Insurance South Africa policy.

Covid-19 specific travel and safety guidelines:

1. Keep your mouth and nose covered with a mask, particularly during travelling and while visiting public places.
2. Practise the rules of social distancing.
3. Follow the local rules and regulations with regard to COVID-19 protocols.
4. If you detect any COVID-19 symptoms amongst your travelling party, immediately get tested and isolated.
   If you opt for the best travel health insurance plan for South Africa, you can have a substantial degree of financial protection against a wide gamut of unfortunate events during your journey and stay.

Fax number: 002712-3425310

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

The major international airports in South Africa are:

1. The OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg;
2. Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town;
3. King Shaka International Airport, Durban;
4. Port Elizabeth Airport, Port Elizabeth;
5. Bram Fischer International Airport, Bloemfontein.

The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand which is also referred to as the ZAR. Represented by the symbol R, the South African Rand has a fluctuating exchange rate with the Indian National Rupee (₹). Presently, one ZAR is equal to ₹4.81.

However, the above exchange rate is subject to change, which is why it is advisable to check the latest exchange rate before travelling to South Africa. You must carry a sufficient amount of this currency during your trip whilst adhering to the permissible limit.

The beautiful country of South Africa is renowned across the world for its rich and vibrant culture and diverse landscape. From beaches to mountains, national parks to heritage monuments, South Africa has a lot to offer to tourists that frequent the nation. If you are planning a trip to this country on the southern tip of the African continent, here are some of the places you must pencil in in your itinerary.

1. Cape Town, Western Cape: Home to world-renowned beaches and mountains, Cape Town is one of the most visited cities in South Africa. The first thing that you must visit in Cape Town is Table Mountain, a table-shaped mountain overlooking the city. Other notable attractions in the city include the Lion's Head, Cape Point, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

2. Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces: Located around 4 hours away from Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. This park is renowned for being home to the big five, namely, lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. Whilst at the Kruger National Park, you can enjoy a wildlife safari or a balloon ride over the reserve.

3.The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal: The Dragon Mountains or the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal is a collection of some of the highest peaks in South Africa. Home to several national parks, this area is famous for its serene forests and breathtaking waterfalls. Visitors to the region can engage in hiking, fishing, river rafting, parasailing, etc.

4. The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga: Located between the city of Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park, the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is home to the second-largest canyon in South Africa. This region is renowned for its verdant flora and diverse fauna, fascinating rock formations, and magnificent waterfalls. If you are at the Blyde River Canyon, you can enjoy hiking, river rafting, and boating.

5. The Golden Mile, Durban: One of the most breathtaking waterfront promenades across the globe, the Golden Mile in Durban is a sight to behold. You can walk along the beach or engage in surfing. There is no dearth of restaurants and hotels near the Golden Mile, adorning it with a secluded yet connected vibe.

The best time to visit South Africa is during the summer months of November to March. With temperatures hovering between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius during the summer season, you can enjoy the country's picturesque beaches and natural beauty in all its glory.
However, if you wish to avoid the rush of the heavy tourist footfall that accompanies the peak season of summer, you can visit South Africa during spring (September to November) and fall (March to May).

Whilst planning your trip to South Africa, you must decide the regions and cities you wish to visit and determine the ideal time to visit accordingly. For instance, if you wish to visit the beaches of the country, then summer and spring are the ideal seasons for your trip.

Irrespective of when you visit South Africa, you must select the best travel insurance for South Africa with you. The Tata AIG South Africa Travel Insurance Plan is an excellent choice that offers you extensive travel insurance coverage at an affordable price, starting at just ₹40.82 per day*.

Instead of opting for a cheap travel insurance plan from India to South Africa, you must look for a cost-effective travel insurance plan. And that is precisely what we offer with the Tata AIG Travel Insurance South Africa Plan. You can peruse our other overseas travel insurance plans on our website to select the best travel insurance for South Africa.

All the information mentioned above is well-researched and sourced from reliable sources. Since this information is subject to change, it is advisable to check the latest travel guidelines and other location-specific information before planning a trip to any location.
*Subject to change based on the nature and extent of the coverage.