South Africa is taking a major step into the digital age with the launch of its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Unveiled today by Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s Leadership Conference, the ETA promises to transform how tourists enter the country.
From Paper to Digital
The ETA replaces outdated, paper-based visa processes with a streamlined, fully digital platform.
Using advanced machine learning, the system allows applicants to complete the entire visa application process online—from submission to approval—without ever needing to visit a visa office in person.
What the ETA Offers
Tourists applying through the ETA can:
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Apply online at their convenience.
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Capture and submit biometric information digitally.
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Receive real-time approval notifications.
This digital platform is integrated with the Electronic Movement Control System 2.0 (EMCS 2.0), which uses facial recognition at ports of entry to ensure fast, secure arrivals.
Faster Airport Arrivals
Starting with OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports, the ETA will speed up arrivals with automated biometric checks, cutting down long queues while bolstering border security.
User acceptance testing is set to begin at the end of September, with the first phase launching in mid-October for G20 delegates from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico—four countries whose citizens require visas to enter South Africa.
The second phase will allow all tourists from these countries to use the system, and eventually, the ETA will serve as the single entry point for all tourist visa applications worldwide.
Plans are also underway to expand the system to include additional visa categories, with automated facial recognition checks available at every port of entry.
A Boost for Tourism and Security
Minister Schreiber emphasised that the ETA will eliminate long-standing visa bottlenecks while improving security.
He pointed to the success of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) pilot, which brought over 35,000 additional tourists from China and India in just seven months.
“The ETA is set to remove visa barriers that have limited South Africa’s tourism potential for many years, while also revolutionising the security of our immigration processes,” Minister Schreiber said.