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  • keyboard_arrow_rightSouth Africa moves away from paper visas with new system aimed at attracting more visitors

South Africa moves away from paper visas with new system aimed at attracting more visitors

By Mapaballo Borotho

South Africa moves away from paper visas with new system aimed at attracting more visitors
Image @The Presidency
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system could help attract more investors and international visitors.
  • The system allows eligible travellers to apply online from anywhere in the world and uses biometric verification, facial recognition and automated risk assessments to speed up entry while strengthening border security.
  • Government estimates that the full implementation of the ETA could attract an additional one million international visitors and support between 80,000 and 100,000 tourism jobs.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation system could help attract more investors and visitors into the country.

Ramaphosa was speaking at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, after launching the country’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

The ETA was piloted during South Africa’s G20 Presidency last year, initially targeting travellers from countries including China, India, Indonesia and Mexico.

The system was launched alongside Home Affairs and Border Management Authority (BMA) officials as a way of moving away from paper-based visa applications.

Through the new system, eligible travellers will be able to apply online from anywhere in the world, without having to visit a South African mission or visa processing centre.

The ETA uses biometric verification, facial recognition and automated risk assessments aimed at making entry into South Africa faster while strengthening border security.

The government believes easier access could have a significant economic impact, estimating that full implementation of the ETA could attract an additional one million international visitors and support between 80,000 and 100,000 tourism jobs.

Ramaphosa says the reform comes as South Africa’s tourism sector continues to recover, with a record 10.5 million tourists visiting the country last year, up almost 18% from 2024.

He has committed the government to extending the ETA to all visa-required countries, with the longer-term goal of processing tourist applications digitally within 24 hours and expanding the system to international airports and major land ports.

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