President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on August 12, 2026. Following a pilot phase limited to four nationalities, the system is now set to gradually expand to additional countries. The government also revealed that more than 216,000 applications have already been processed.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation on August 12, 2026. Already available to travelers from four countries, the ETA is expected to expand “to all countries” in September, while initially remaining optional for visa-exempt nationals.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is proposing a 500-rand fee, or about $30, to process ETA applications and other visa and permit requests submitted online. The measure is scheduled to take effect on August 17, 2026, but must first complete the public consultation process.
Since July 1, 2026, travelers entering or leaving South Africa must complete an online declaration before their trip. This customs formality, separate from visa requirements, is used to declare goods, currency, or items subject to control.
The future common tourist visa for SADC is emerging as one of the region’s major initiatives to make travel across Southern Africa easier and boost tourism arrivals.
South Africa says it has now fully rolled out its electronic travel authorization system for eligible short-stay travelers. At this stage, however, the official ETA application website still does not clearly reflect that broader rollout.
Upon the release of the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) interim report, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, delivered a stark assessment of two decades of irregularities in visa issuance. At the center of his response is the accelerated nationwide rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which is set to become the sole gateway for all visa applications.
Announced last September, South Africa’s Electronic Travel Autorisation (ETA) system is taking clearer shape. Spotted by VisasNews, the official portal is now live, revealing the first details of a program set to transform the country’s entry procedures.
South Africa will soon roll out its electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system. While designed primarily for travelers who are required to obtain a visa, it may eventually also be available to foreign nationals who are visa-exempt, though without being mandatory.
South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, on Thursday unveiled the country’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, along with the first illustrations of the online platform. Designed to simplify entry procedures into South Africa, the system will go live in mid-October for G20 participants.
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber will unveil the new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system at the Tourism Business Council’s annual conference. This ETA is designed to digitize entry procedures and automate checks through artificial intelligence technologies.
Starting in September 2025, South Africa will launch an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to digitize the issuance of tourist visas. For now, this measure will not apply to visa-exempt travelers, but questions are already being raised about its future extension.
South Africa will launch its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system in September 2025, aimed at short-term tourists. This AI-based system is designed to eliminate border queues, fraud, and administrative burdens.
Travelers to South Africa will soon need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before entering the country.
