South Africa launches new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) with phased rollout for tourists!

South Africa has taken a major step towards streamlining international travel! On 18 September 2025, the country's Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, officially unveiled the country’s brand-new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s Leadership Conference in Sun City.
The ETA system is designed to replace outdated paper-based visa processes with a secure, fully digital, and traveller-friendly platform. Visitors will soon be able to apply online, capture their biometrics, and receive near-instant approval - eliminating long processing times and complicated paperwork. The ETA will be powered by the new Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS 2.0), which uses facial recognition at ports of entry, starting at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. This means faster arrivals, shorter queues, and enhanced national security through automated biometric checks.

ETA ollout timeline:

• Phase 1 (September - October 2025): Exclusive launch for G20 delegates from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. Applications open mid-October, allowing delegates to use the system ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg from 14–16 November 2025.
• Phase 2 (Post-Summit): If stable, ETA access will open to the general public from the same four countries. Payment integration will go live, allowing tourists to apply and pay digitally before travelling.
• Phase 3 (2026 onwards): Gradual global rollout to all visa-requiring markets, with expansion to additional airports, land borders, and smaller ports of entry as infrastructure scales up.

 

South Africa also plans to expand the ETA to more visa categories over time, with fully automated entry and exit procedures eventually available at all ports of entry.

This digital transformation promises a seamless travel experience for international visitors, positioning South Africa as a more competitive and tourist-friendly destination on the global stage.

Passport holders who are exemot from visas for South Africa >> 

 

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