South Africa is set to overhaul its immigration process with the launch of an AI-powered Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system in September 2025. The new system is designed for short-term visitors from visa-required countries and promises to speed up visa approvals, reduce airport delays, and prevent fraud — all through a mobile-friendly platform.

Unveiled by the Minister of Home Affairs, the ETA system allows tourists to apply and receive approval for their visas within seconds using their smartphones. The platform, which was recently demonstrated to President Cyril Ramaphosa, will debut at key international airports later this year and is part of the country’s long-term plan to digitise all immigration services.

The ETA will likely replace the current e-Visa system for countries that already require a visa to visit South Africa. These include several in Asia, Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. Although the final list of eligible countries has not yet been released, nations expected to fall under the new ETA system include India, China, Nigeria, Russia, and others already covered by the existing e-Visa programme.

Currently, South Africa’s e-Visa portal remains active for over 30 countries, but it is unclear if the ETA will fully replace or be integrated into this platform. The Department of Home Affairs is expected to provide more clarity in the months leading up to the rollout.

One of the major selling points of the new system is its instant, AI-driven processing. Travellers will no longer need to submit paperwork, attend in-person appointments, or wait in long queues at borders. Everything will be done online — from application to visa storage on mobile wallets.

The ETA will initially be rolled out for tourist visits under 90 days, but authorities plan to expand it to cover all visa types, including work, study, and residency permits. The long-term goal is a fully digital, AI-powered immigration framework that eliminates inefficiency and fraud.

As the September launch approaches, travellers are advised to watch for updates on how the new ETA system will work alongside the e-Visa portal and to verify whether their countries are on the eligibility list.

With this move, South Africa joins a growing list of countries turning to AI and mobile-first technologies to modernise border control and improve travel experiences

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