South Africa launches Electronic Travel Authorisation system - THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora!
South Africa has officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, a major overhaul of the country’s visa and entry system that is intended to make travel faster and more predictable while. . .
South Africa has officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, a major overhaul of the country’s visa and entry system that is intended to make travel faster and more predictable while strengthening border security. President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched the system at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on 12 August 2026, describing the reform as part of the government’s wider programme to remove barriers to tourism, trade and investment and create more opportunities for economic growth and jobs. The system is being developed by the Department of Home Affairs as a digital alternative to traditional paper-based visa processes. It allows eligible travellers to apply online before travelling, with biometric checks and automated risk assessment carried out digitally. Which nationalities are currently eligible?For travellers, one of the most important questions is: Who can currently use the ETA, and when will it become available to citizens of other countries? At the time of the official launch, the ETA is operational for travellers from four countries:ChinaIndiaIndonesiaMexicoThese are the four G20 countries whose citizens require visas to visit South Africa. They were selected as the initial source markets because South Africa hosted the G20 during 2025. The government has also said the ETA programme is intended to eventually extend to travellers from all countries that currently require a visa to enter South Africa, meaning many African nationalities could ultimately be included as the rollout continues. The government says additional countries will be added progressively. Minister Schreiber said at the launch that embassies would be informed as countries are systematically added to the ETA system. The best approach is to check the official South African ETA portal (https://eta. dha. gov. za/) before making travel arrangements. What is the ETA?The Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital travel authorisation linked to the traveller’s passport. Instead of having to visit a South African embassy, consulate or visa application centre for an eligible visitor visa, the applicant can complete the process online. The official system requires applicants to:Create an online profile. Verify their mobile phone number and email address. Scan the passport they intend to use for travel. Complete the application questions. Submit a live photograph or selfie for biometric verification. Pay the applicable fee. Submit the application electronically. The system then uses biometric technology, passport verification and automated risk analysis to assess the application. If approved, the ETA is delivered electronically and can be stored on a smartphone. The South African government says approved applicants should receive an outcome within 24 hours, although travellers should apply well in advance because some applications may require additional assessment. Which airports can ETA travellers use?At the official launch, Home Affairs said the system would initially be available to travellers arriving at:O. R. Tambo International AirportCape Town International AirportKing Shaka International AirportLanseria International AirportThe government’s official ETA website currently lists O. R. Tambo, Cape Town and Lanseria in its application information, with King Shaka International in Durban also included in the wider rollout. So, travellers should check the live portal before travelling, particularly during the continuing rollout. The government intends to extend the system to land and sea ports in the coming months as biometric and electronic movement-control infrastructure is expanded. What should travellers do now?Travellers should not wait until they are at the airport to discover whether they need an ETA. Before booking a trip, they should check:Whether their nationality is currently eligible for an ETA;Whether they are visa-exempt or visa-required;Whether their passport is an ordinary valid passport accepted by the system;Which airport or port of entry they will use;The purpose and intended length of their stay;Whether they need a visa or ETA for their particular journey. The official ETA portal (https://eta. dha. gov. za/) is the appropriate place to check eligibility and submit an application. The 12 August launch is the beginning of a much broader expansion of the ETA system. For international travellers, the significance is clear: South Africa is moving from a largely paper-based visa process towards a digital immigration system in which applications, biometric checks, risk assessment and border verification are increasingly connected. We will continue to follow the rollout of the system and report on when it extends to more African travellers. Vivian Asamoah