South Africa outlines phased launch of eTA for short stays
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs is launching a phased Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system starting October 2025 to digitize short-stay visa applications for tourists and business travelers from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, enhancing border security with biometric verification and facial recognition at key airports.
Image is AI-generated
UPDATE (Nov 06, 2025): South Africa has officially launched its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system, marking the start of a phased 1 rollout for G20 delegates from four visa‑required countries who fly to South Africa for meetings. Travellers can now apply directly at eta.dha.gov.za. The department notes that 85% of applications are processed automatically using AI-powered risk assessment, aiming to finalise eligible applications within 24 hours, with instant approval or rejection notifications.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs unveiled an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) program on September 18, 2025, positioning the country to digitise short‑stay visa processing and strengthen border security. The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, presented the plan at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa Leadership Conference. The Department says the eTA will let applicants apply online, submit biometrics, and receive outcomes in near real time. It will integrate with an upgraded Electronic Movement Control System that uses facial recognition at ports of entry.
Who is eligible first
Phase 1 targets G20 delegates from four visa‑required countries who fly to South Africa for meetings: China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico through OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. If the system performs reliably, authorities plan to extend access to all travellers from these four countries before gradually expanding it by 2026.
Where and when it starts
User acceptance testing is scheduled for the end of September 2025. Phase 1 applications are due to open in mid‑October 2025 for the four G20 delegations arriving at OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. A broader Phase 2 is set to begin after the G20 Leaders’ Meeting in late November 2025, opening tourist eTA applications to all travelers from those same four countries, still limited to the two airports. Officials plan to expand coverage to additional visa categories and ports of entry once the system stabilises.
What the eTA covers and how long you can stay
At launch, the eTA is designed for short‑stay tourist visas. In South Africa, visitor visas for tourism or business are typically valid for up to 90 days. The Department’s public statements link the eTA to these short‑stay visas, to eventually become the single digital entry point for all tourist visas from visa‑required countries.
Visa types and future expansion
The eTA will start with tourist visits, then scale to more visa categories over time, alongside a national rollout of automated facial recognition at ports of entry. Authorities state the goal is to replace paper processes with end‑to‑end digital adjudication.
How to apply for the eTA
The Department outlined a mobile‑first process: create an account, scan your passport with your phone, take a live selfie, and pay online, after which the system runs fraud checks, including matching the selfie to the passport photo. Officials highlighted that outcomes are designed to be delivered quickly through automation. Detailed step‑by‑step instructions and the official application URL will be provided by the Department of Home Affairs before go‑live, so travelers should monitor official channels only.
Important: South Africa does not offer Visa on Arrival
South Africa does not issue visas at ports of entry. Travelers who need a visa must obtain it in advance, and airlines are instructed to check for visas before boarding. Visa‑exempt nationals continue to enter visa‑free for the period permitted under South African rules.
Passport validity and documents
Travelers should ensure their passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended date of departure from South Africa and contains at least two consecutive blank visa pages for endorsements. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from or transiting through a WHO‑designated yellow fever risk country.
Processing time and fees
The Department says the eTA platform is built to deliver outcomes in near real time. During the public presentation, officials and industry reported a 24‑hour processing experience in pilot demonstrations, with payments made within the application. Exact government fees will be confirmed at launch.
Traveler tips and cautions
• Use only official South African government sites for visa and eTA information. Industry bodies and the government have warned about unaffiliated third‑party sites selling spurious “entry permits” or application services that are not required.
• Check whether you are visa‑exempt and the length of stay allowed for your nationality on the Department of Home Affairs website.
• If you require a visa, do not travel without one. Airlines may deny boarding and border officials will refuse entry if you arrive without the proper authorisation.
Key dates at a glance
• September 18, 2025: eTA presented publicly by the Minister of Home Affairs.
• Late September 2025: User acceptance testing scheduled.
• Mid‑October 2025: Phase 1 opens to G20 delegates from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico at OR Tambo and Cape Town.
• Late November 2025: Phase 2 opens to tourists from the same four countries at the same two airports.
Official websites for updates
- Department of Home Affairs main site and visa pages.
- Border Management Authority for port‑of‑entry information.
Sources
