New ETA facilities bring children and group applications into the online process; country prepares for tourism opportunities around the 2027 Cricket World Cup
<a href="https://absafricatv.com/bethell-faces-fitness-race-for-south-africa-tests-after-being-ruled-out-of-australia-tour/" title="Bethell faces fitness race for South Africa Tests after being ruled out of Australia tour”>South Africa is widening the digital access route for Indian visitors, with its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform now covering 53 countries and introducing facilities designed to simplify applications for families travelling with children.
The latest changes allow applications for minors, including biometric capture and enrolment on South Africa’s Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS) for children aged seven and above. A multi-applicant facility also enables families and groups to submit applications through a single online portal.
For eligible Indian passport holders, the move reduces the need to visit a visa processing centre to complete the application formalities. It also forms part of South Africa’s transition from its earlier eVisa programme to the expanded ETA platform, which is scheduled to replace the existing eVisa system completely from December 1, 2026.
South African Tourism sees the development as an opportunity to make the destination more accessible to Indian travellers, particularly as the country prepares for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. The organisation is encouraging visitors to look beyond the tournament and explore South Africa’s wildlife, landscapes, cities and cultural experiences.
Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head for the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia at South African Tourism, said the expanded system would simplify travel planning for eligible visitors, including families and groups.
The development comes as South Africa seeks to connect improvements in travel facilitation with destination promotion. For Indian tour operators, the enhanced digital process could help simplify the planning of family holidays and group itineraries, although travellers must still meet the applicable eligibility and immigration requirements.
The ETA is a travel authorisation and should not be confused with visa-free entry. Final admission to South Africa remains subject to border authorities.
