South Africa will launch a fully digital, AI-powered Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system in September 2025 for short-term visitors from visa-required countries.
The ETA promises instant visa approvals via mobile devices, reduced airport delays, and enhanced fraud detection. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber recently demonstrated the smartphone-ready platform to President Cyril Ramaphosa, following its initial mention during the 2024 State of the Nation Address.
“This is a real ETA visa, stored in my real smartphone wallet. It was issued online within seconds,” Schreiber said on June 12.
The ETA will likely replace the current e-Visa system for countries such as India, China, Nigeria, Russia, and others across Asia, Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. The official list of eligible countries is expected later this year.
Initially limited to tourist visas for stays under 90 days, the ETA system will eventually expand to include work, study, and residency permits as part of a broader digital immigration overhaul.
Travellers are advised to monitor the Department of Home Affairs for updates on the rollout, portal changes, and integration with the existing e-Visa platform.
