(SOUTH AFRICA) South Africa 🇿🇦 has switched on its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, a fully digital visa platform that the government says will speed up entry for visitors while making it much harder for fraudsters to slip through the borders. The system, now live in a pilot phase, marks one of the most ambitious overhauls of South Africa’s immigration controls in years.
What the ETA does and how it works
The ETA replaces the old paper-based visa process with a fully online application. Instead of filling out forms at consulates or on arrival, applicants:
- create a digital profile
- type in personal and travel details
- upload a scanned copy of their passport
- attach a recent photo or selfie
- pay the processing fee
During the current pilot phase, that fee is temporarily set at zero, a move officials hope will encourage early uptake and stress‑test the system.
A key promise of the ETA is speed. According to the Department of Home Affairs:
- up to 85% of applications are processed automatically using artificial intelligence tools that check information against security databases and risk rules
- the stated target is a turnaround time of under 24 hours
- early users during the trial have reported approvals in as little as 20 minutes
Once approved, travellers receive a secure digital document (not a passport sticker). This document includes a QR code that can be stored on a smartphone or printed out. Border officers scan the code on arrival to pull up the traveller’s details instantly, linked to the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS 2.0) now in place at major airports, including OR Tambo and Cape Town International.
Security and fraud prevention
Security is a central selling point. The ETA uses biometric verification, including facial recognition, to confirm that the person at the border is the same one who applied online. Officials say this reduces the risk of:
- using stolen or forged passports
- recycling identities
- corrupt, face‑to‑face manipulation of paper files
By shifting decision-making earlier in the journey, authorities hope to stop high‑risk travellers before they ever board a plane to South Africa.
“The ETA will greatly enhance security and fraud prevention measures, thus ensuring for the controlled movement of persons within the country,” said Leon Schreiber.
In his words, the new model “drastically shifts border security from a reactive, physical checkpoint model to a proactive, intelligence-driven one.”
This reflects a wider push to treat visa data as an early warning system, not just a travel permission slip.
Rollout plan and timeline
Testing of the ETA began in late September 2025 with a narrow group: G20 delegates from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico travelling through OR Tambo and Cape Town. These travellers are using the system during the build‑up to the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025, allowing officials to monitor performance under real‑world pressure.
Planned rollout stages:
- Pilot: G20 delegates (late September 2025 → G20 Leaders’ Summit, November 2025)
- Post-summit: Open ETA to all tourists from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico
- If stable: Extend to travellers from all visa‑required countries
- Later phases: Add more visa types (beyond short‑term tourism) and additional ports of entry
For now, the ETA covers short stays of up to 90 days, mainly for tourism and some business travel. Officials have not set a public timetable for longer stays, work permits, or study visas, but the political promise is to move most immigration processes online under the “Home Affairs @ Home” digital programme.
During the pilot, the processing fee is zero, but this is temporary. Check the official DHA ETA portal for current fees and eligible nationalities before applying or booking travel to avoid surprises.
Operational assurances and system oversight
The Department of Home Affairs stresses that speed does not mean lower standards. Their approach:
- use AI to handle low‑risk cases automatically
- allow human officials to focus on high‑risk or flagged applications
- reduce opportunities for corruption and cut errors from the paper system
Authorities will continue to monitor performance closely and adjust rules, processing logic, and technical systems before scaling to millions of applicants. This includes:
- stress tests on airport infrastructure
- training border staff for QR‑code checking and facial recognition procedures
- continuous review of AI risk tools on unusual or complex travel histories
Prospective visitors and industry partners are advised to watch official channels for updates. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) ETA portal website is expected to carry guidance as new nationalities are added, and to publish changes in fees, processing times, or eligible visit types.
Economic and political context
Tourism and business groups have long argued that the previous visa system discouraged visitors by being slow, unpredictable, and paper‑driven. The ETA aims to:
- boost tourism
- help business travellers arrange short‑notice trips
- support job creation and economic growth through increased hotel bookings, conferences, and local spending
Analysts such as VisaVerge.com note that digital visa systems in other countries have often led to noticeable increases in visitor numbers once travellers trust the online process. South Africa is betting on a similar effect, particularly from China and India, where outbound tourism is growing.
Politically, the ETA is presented as proof that South Africa can lead in digital public services. The Home Affairs @ Home initiative aims to digitise core identity and immigration functions—from birth registration to visas—matching modern travellers’ expectations for online convenience.
Current status (as of 21 November 2025)
- The ETA portal is operational and focused mainly on G20 delegates and select nationalities.
- Early reports describe smooth applications and rapid approvals.
- Officials report the platform is live, early users are being processed successfully, and a wider opening is planned if tests hold up.
If the next phases proceed as intended, the ETA could reshape how South Africa manages its borders—turning a slow, paper-heavy process into a largely digital, data‑driven system aimed at welcoming genuine visitors while keeping out those who pose a risk.
South Africa has launched a pilot Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that replaces paper visas with an online application using AI and biometric verification. Initial testing involved G20 delegates at OR Tambo and Cape Town. Officials expect up to 85% automated processing, QR-coded digital travel documents, and turnaround under 24 hours. The pilot is currently free; phased expansion will add more nationalities, visa types, and ports if stability and security checks pass.
