South Africa has officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), marking a major step towards the digital transformation of the country’s visa and immigration system. The platform was officially launched at OR Tambo International Airport on August 12, 2026, by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The ETA is designed to make travel to South Africa faster, more secure and predictable, while strengthening immigration controls and reducing visa fraud. The system was initially piloted during South Africa’s G20 Presidency for travellers from India, China, Indonesia and Mexico and will progressively be expanded to additional markets.
Speaking at the launch, Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs, described the ETA as a “quantum leap” for the country’s immigration system.
“Today’s launch of the ETA represents a quantum leap forward for our country’s immigration system, both by unlocking economic growth through tourism, investment and legitimate travel, and by landing a decisive blow against visa fraud and illegal immigration,” he said.
Digital and Biometric Travel Process
Under the new system, travellers begin by creating a profile on the ETA portal, with one-time password verification of their mobile number and email address. Applicants then scan their passport and upload a selfie.
Biometric technology compares the passport photograph with the applicant’s facial image, while the platform automatically checks the passport against more than 40 parameters to verify its authenticity. Following payment, automated risk analysis is used to identify potential fraud or security risks.
According to Schreiber, approved travellers can receive their ETA within 24 hours and store it in a digital wallet on their smartphone.
On arrival, travellers undergo facial verification at immigration to confirm their identity. The Border Management Authority, working with the South African Revenue Service, has upgraded the Electronic Movement Control System to EMCS 2.0 at international airports to support biometric processing.
“In other words: the face of the traveller becomes the key that determines whether they may enter, rather than physical documents that can be manipulated,” Schreiber said.
South Africa is also working towards integrating the ETA and EMCS 2.0 with airport eGates, with the aim of further reducing immigration queues and eliminating manual passport stamping.
Over 216,000 Applications Processed During Pilot
Since the initial pilot began, the ETA has processed 216,204 applications. The system has also identified and rejected 6,126 fraudulent applications, including cases involving fraudulent passports, manipulated documents and other indicators of fraud.
Schreiber said, “The objective was to create a system that is modern and uncompromising when it comes to security, but welcoming and efficient when it comes to the travellers and investors we must attract to generate growth and jobs.”
The platform also allows legitimate travellers entering South Africa for up to 90 days to apply digitally to extend their stay by a further 90 days, in accordance with the Immigration Act.
ETA to Expand to More Countries
During the next phase, the ETA will progressively become compulsory for short-stay travellers from countries that require port-of-entry visas for South Africa. It will also be available voluntarily to visa-exempt travellers who want access to faster ETA immigration queues or wish to extend their stay.
Initially, the system will be available for travellers arriving at OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport and Lanseria International Airport. Facial recognition and EMCS 2.0 are subsequently planned for land and sea ports of entry.
The government also plans to expand the platform beyond short-stay travel to more complex immigration categories, including study, spousal and work visas.
‘Visa Reform is an Economic Reform’
President Cyril Ramaphosa positioned the ETA as part of South Africa’s broader strategy to improve tourism, investment, trade and economic competitiveness.
“The Electronic Travel Authorisation system will make travel to South Africa easier, faster and more predictable. It will encourage tourism. It will support trade. It will attract investment. It will facilitate skills and knowledge exchange,” Ramaphosa said.
He stressed that simplifying travel procedures could have a wider economic impact, particularly through tourism and related sectors.
“Visa reform is therefore not simply an immigration reform. It is an economic reform. It is a jobs reform,” he said.
“A modern immigration system is not a weaker immigration system. It is a smarter immigration system,” he said, noting that biometric verification, identity management and automated risk assessment would strengthen South Africa’s ability to identify potential immigration abuse while making legitimate travel more efficient.
The ETA forms part of the Department of Home Affairs’ broader Home Affairs @ Home digital transformation programme. Over time, South Africa aims to develop the platform into a central, end-to-end digital immigration system covering multiple visa categories and entry and exit processes.
