Eswatini prepares to officially launch its e-Visa system

The Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is looking to accelerate the modernization of its entry procedures for international travelers.

During an event hosted by national carrier Eswatini Air on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Mthokozisi Dlamini, Chief Immigration Officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs, announced that the country was preparing for the official launch of its online visa application system.

According to local media reports, the rollout could also include a fast-track option allowing travelers to receive a decision on their visa applications in as little as 24 hours.

Eswatini’s e-Visa system has been undergoing testing since May 2026

Speaking at the gathering of aviation and tourism industry stakeholders in Matsapha, Mthokozisi Dlamini explained that the electronic visa system had been undergoing trial runs since May 2026.

Although the platform is already accessible, it has yet to be officially launched by the Minister of Home Affairs. No date has been announced.

Authorities also plan to conduct public awareness campaigns alongside the official rollout to help travelers understand the application process and the steps they need to follow.

The announcement comes after several years of work on the country’s electronic visa system.

In September 2023, Eswatini’s electronic visa system was officially inaugurated by then-Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe, with full implementation initially scheduled for October 31 of that year.

The latest statements from immigration officials therefore suggest a more gradual rollout than initially anticipated. However, authorities have not clarified whether the upcoming official launch will involve an upgraded version of the existing platform or its full-scale deployment.

A 24-hour express visa service under consideration

One of the most significant developments announced on November 10 is the proposed introduction of an expedited visa processing service.

“We have identified the need to introduce what we call an express visa,” Mthokozisi Dlamini explained during his remarks.

The immigration chief outlined how the proposed service would work: “It will come at an additional cost, but the turnaround time will be 24 hours, compared with the current seven working days.”

The fast-track option would primarily benefit travelers with urgent travel needs or those who decide to add Eswatini to their itinerary at the last minute.

To illustrate its potential benefits, Dlamini described a common situation involving tourists traveling through Southern Africa: “For example, a group of tourists may be visiting South Africa and decide that they want to spend a night in Eswatini. Some members of that group may require visas.”

Under the proposed express service, these travelers could complete the necessary formalities without having to wait several days. “They will be able to apply through the platform and receive a response within 24 hours,” Dlamini added.

Introducing such a service would, however, require changes to the way immigration offices operate, including the possibility of processing applications outside regular business hours, on weekends and during public holidays.

Discussions are still underway regarding the service’s operational arrangements and the provisions for immigration officers expected to handle urgent applications.

For now, the express visa service is not officially available. Authorities have not announced the additional fee or a timeline for its introduction.

Eswatini’s official e-Visa portal is already online

While authorities are still preparing for the official launch, the government’s electronic visa application portal is already accessible at: evisa.gov.sz.

The platform, operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, features a registration system allowing users to create an account before beginning the application process.

The website outlines the steps involved in applying for a visa or permit and provides an interface for uploading supporting documents.

Its official FAQ section provides several details about the electronic visa:

• Purpose of travel: Tourism and business.
• Visa validity: 90 days from the date of issuance, for a single entry.
• Permitted length of stay: Up to 30 days.
• Estimated processing time: Two to five business days.
• Required documents: Passport copy, recent photograph and supporting travel documents.

These details will need to be confirmed when the system is officially launched, particularly regarding processing times, as the Chief Immigration Officer now refers to a standard processing period of seven business days.

Government has acknowledged problems with the e-Visa system

The latest announcements come against a backdrop of challenges surrounding Eswatini’s efforts to digitize its visa procedures.

On September 17, 2026, during the Tourism Nkwe Indaba summit, Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini publicly acknowledged the difficulties affecting the electronic visa system.

Tourism industry representatives had reported processing delays, failed payments and the absence of a manual backup procedure when the platform experienced technical problems.

The Prime Minister subsequently pledged to take swift action to improve the system’s reliability and prevent entry requirements from becoming an obstacle to the country’s tourism development.

The e-Visa platform was also among the government services affected by IT disruptions in October 2026, before authorities announced that service had been restored on October 23.

Preparations for an official launch, combined with the potential introduction of expedited processing, are therefore part of broader efforts to improve the experience of international visitors.

Americans, British citizens and other travelers remain eligible for visa-free entry

The planned changes to Eswatini’s e-Visa system do not currently affect the visa exemptions already granted to travelers from a number of countries.

U.S. citizens can visit Eswatini without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.

According to the U.S. Department of State, American travelers must hold a passport that is valid upon entry, although having at least three months of validity beyond the planned departure date is strongly recommended. The passport must also contain at least two consecutive blank pages.

British passport holders are also eligible for visa-free visits of up to 30 days.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) states that British travelers must hold a passport that expires at least three months after their arrival in Eswatini and contains at least two blank pages for entry stamps.

Citizens of Canada, Australia and several European countries, including France, Belgium and Switzerland, also benefit from visa-free access for short visits, subject to the entry conditions applicable to their nationality.

The electronic visa system is therefore primarily intended for travelers who need to obtain a visa in advance because of their nationality or the purpose of their visit.