New Digital Visa System Set to Transform Travel to South Africa

Rethabile Nyelele22 September , 2025

182 2 minutes read

New Digital Visa System Set to Transform Travel to South Africa — Image: iStock

South Africa is set to modernise its visa processes with the introduction of a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. The system is designed to simplify travel while strengthening immigration security.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s Leadership Conference on Thursday. He highlighted that the ETA will remove long-standing visa barriers that have hindered the country’s tourism growth.

“The ETA will revolutionise the immigration experience by replacing inefficiency, queues, and paper forms with a seamless online application system,” said Schreiber. “It positions South Africa as a forward-thinking nation embracing digital transformation.”

Rollout Timeline

The ETA rollout will follow a phased approach:

September 2025 – User acceptance testing begins.
Mid-October 2025 – First phase launches for G20 delegates from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico entering through OR Tambo and Cape Town international airports.
November 2025 – Applications open for all tourists from the same four countries.
Future phases – Full expansion to all visa-required countries once the system proves stable.

Home Affairs confirmed that the ETA will integrate with the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System. This will enable automated biometric checks and reduce wait times at airports. In the longer term, the system will expand to other visa categories, with plans for facial recognition-based entry and exit at all ports of entry.

Supporting Online Visa Schemes

The ETA is part of a broader digital overhaul of visa services. Earlier this year, the department piloted several targeted schemes:

Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) – allows accredited tour operators to submit visa details online for their clients.
Meetings, Events, Exhibitions, and Tourism Scheme (MEETS) – designed for attendees of global conferences, sports events, and exhibitions.
Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES) – supports international film and entertainment professionals visiting South Africa.

Minister Schreiber revealed that South Africa previously lost out on a R400 million Netflix production because of restrictive visa processes, underscoring the economic potential of these reforms.

Industry bodies such as the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) have welcomed the move. Chairperson Rosemary Anderson described STAGES and MEETS as “powerful economic enablers” and praised the government’s practical approach to making South Africa more accessible to the world.

Boost for Tourism and Business

The digital visa transformation will boost South Africa’s appeal as a global destination for both leisure and business travel. By streamlining entry procedures and adopting advanced technologies, the government hopes to enhance visitor experiences, stimulate investment, and unlock greater economic opportunities in tourism and related industries.