“Home Affairs is building the future,” declared Leon Schreiber, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, as he revealed the first images of the country’s upcoming Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) portal.
After presenting the system this morning to the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), the Minister of Home Affairs shared some illustrations on social media to provide a better understanding of how the country’s upcoming ETA will work and what types of travelers it is intended for.
The ETA is essentially a digital pass meant to modernize entry into South Africa.
ETA allows nationals of visa-required countries to apply online for short-term travel authorization, whether for tourism or other short visits, without going through the traditional visa process.
Visa-exempt travelers can also apply for an ETA to travel to South Africa
“Our Electronic Travel Authorisation digitalises and automates visas through machine learning, eliminating inefficiency that deters tourism while supercharging security,” Leon Schreiber explained on X.
Expected to go live at the end of September, the ETA system is set for an official launch next month. “User acceptance testing end Sept, go-live for G20 attendees by mid Oct!” he added.
The South African government states in a press release that “the first phase will focus on delegates attending G20 meetings from the four G20 member countries that require visas to visit South Africa, namely China, India, Indonesia and Mexico and who arrive at OR Tambo or Cape Town International Airport.”
According to the authorities, the second phase will begin after the conclusion of the G20 leaders’ meeting at the end of November, which will open applications to all tourists from the same four countries. “Once the system is stable, the ETA will be expanded to become the single entry-point for tourist visas from all countries that require visas to visit South Africa,” the government added.
Finally, South African authorities indicate that over the next few years, “the ETA will be expanded to other visa categories, with automated entry-and-exit, based on facial recognition, to be rolled out to all ports of entry.”
Beyond visa-required travelers, those normally exempt from visas will also be able to apply for an ETA, which is designed to speed up border checks and streamline entry.
The authorization is directly linked to the traveler’s passport and remains valid for multiple entries during its validity period. However, it cannot be used to extend stays indefinitely or to take up employment in South Africa.
The ETA applies only to travelers holding a valid ordinary passport and arriving through one of the country’s two main international airports: Johannesburg’s O. R. Tambo or Cape Town.
How to apply for an ETA to South Africa
The official platform, whose web address has not yet been released, will guide applicants step by step through a simple process:
- Register: Register a profile to start the application process.
- Biometrics: Take a live photo of yourself.
- Passport: Take a photo of the passport you will use to travel to South Africa.
- Application Form: Answer some questions about yourself and your trip.
- Submit: Submit your application and wait for an instant outcome.
This five-step process highlights South Africa’s focus on simplicity and speed, with approvals promised to be virtually instantaneous once submitted online.
Key details about the South African ETA
Leon Schreiber also shared a visual preview of the ETA (below), which highlights the key information it contains: the traveler’s full identity, application reference, passport details, and specific validity conditions.
The authorization is valid for up to 90 days, with a one-time extension of another 90 days possible. It cannot be converted into a work or study permit, underscoring its strictly short-term and tourism-related purpose.
A QR code adds a secure, digital element that enables quick verification upon arrival.
One important requirement for travelers is to complete the Customs Online Traveller Declaration on the South African Revenue Service (SARS) portal before departure. This step further reflects Pretoria’s push toward full digitalization.
In addition to the downloadable PDF version, the ETA can also be integrated into secure mobile applications such as Google Wallet and Apple Wallet. This feature makes the authorization a true “digital travel document,” easily accessible on a smartphone and ready to present at border control.
