- The next expansion phase targets growth markets ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.
- Schreiber said approved travelers receive their ETA within 24 hours.
- The initial markets were China, India, Indonesia and Mexico.
South Africa plans to close its eVisa platform on December 1, 2026, completing a transition to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), already available in 53 countries.
Eligible visitors from visa-required countries can use the digital authorisation for tourism or visitor trips. Visa-exempt travelers may also apply for more efficient border processing. The Department of Home Affairs advises travelers to check eligibility and apply through its official ETA portal before departure.
The December date marks the scheduled shutdown of the old system, not the start of the rollout. Country additions came in waves during August and September 2026, and the ETA now includes every market previously covered by the eVisa programme.
Eligible visitors can use the ETA for tourism, but not work
The authorisation is intended for eligible travelers visiting for tourism or other visitor purposes. Indian passport holders who qualify can complete the process online without going to a visa processing centre or receiving a traditional visa sticker.
An ETA is attached to the traveler’s passport and allows multiple trips during its validity. It is not designed for repeated long stays for other purposes. Work is not permitted under this visitor authorisation.
Home Affairs is also working to add study, spousal and work visa categories to the platform. Those categories are part of future expansion; the current visitor ETA does not grant permission to work.
Approval allows a traveler to proceed, but South African border authorities make the final admission decision on arrival. Travelers entering for up to 90 days can apply through the ETA to extend a stay by up to a further 90 days, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said, citing the Immigration Act.
An ETA permits travel, with admission decided at the border
The authorisation serves as advance permission to travel and is checked against the passport used for the application. It does not replace the decision made at the border.
The distinction is practical. A traveler may hold an approved ETA and still face an admission decision from border officials upon arrival.
Families can submit applications together, with biometrics for older children
The expanded portal offers a multi-applicant function, allowing families and groups to send applications through one account. It also accepts applications for minors.
Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head MEISEA at South African Tourism, said the expanded system should ease planning for visitors, including families and groups. She said:
“Indian travellers are increasingly looking for destinations that offer memorable experiences alongside greater convenience. The continued expansion of South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation is an important step towards making travel planning simpler for eligible visitors, including families and groups. As we look ahead to the ICC Cricket World Cup, we hope more Indian travellers will take the opportunity to experience South Africa beyond the game, discovering our extraordinary wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities and rich cultural heritage”
The December shutdown follows earlier ETA expansion waves
President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the system at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The initial markets were China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, chosen in connection with South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
| Stage | Date or markets | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Initial launch | August 12, 2026 | The ETA was launched at OR Tambo International Airport. |
| Country expansion | August and September 2026 | Additional markets joined in phases. |
| Platform shutdown | December 1, 2026 | The eVisa platform is scheduled for decommissioning. |
Authorities are monitoring the system’s stability and ability to handle growth while onboarding industry partners and informing travelers. The next expansion is expected to target growth markets ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said on May 13, 2026, that completed applications had a 94% approval rate and passengers using dedicated ETA airport lanes were processed in under 60 seconds. Schreiber said the system had rejected 6,126 fraudulent applications, including cases involving false passports and altered documents. The digital checks use biometric verification and automated risk analysis.
The project is part of Operation Vulindlela, a structural reform programme established in 2020. Home Affairs has also identified facial recognition at land and seaports and the rollout of EMCS 2.0 at all ports of entry as work for coming months.
The Department of Home Affairs has not set out how pending eVisa applications will be handled on December 1, 2026, or stated the ETA fee.
Travelers should check eligibility and apply before departure
Schreiber said approved applicants receive their authorisation within 24 hours and can save it in a smartphone digital wallet. At the immigration counter, biometric checks are used to verify the traveler’s identity.
Travelers should check whether they qualify and submit an application through the official Department of Home Affairs ETA portal before their planned departure.
