South Africa is set to transform its immigration processes with the launch in september 2025 a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. The system, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), is designed for tourists on short stays of less than 90 days.
Read more: L’Afrique du Sud aura son système d’ETA géré par IA en 2025The Minister of the Interior, Leon Schreiberpresented the new system to President Cyril Ramaphosathe new system will enable a secure visa application process fully digital. During his State of the Nation address in February, President Ramaphosa had already announced the digitization of immigration processes as a key element in the digital transformation of public services.
An "instant" travel experience?
The ETA system promises a smooth, fast user experience, offering the possibility of requesting and obtaining travel authorization in a matter of seconds via a smartphone. Leon Schreiber even demonstrate the functionality by showing your own digital ETA visa stored in your smartphone wallet. This process eliminates the need for physical paperwork, in-person appointments or long waits at ports of entry.
Travelers will need to provide their biometric information during the application process, and once on site, scan their ETA code and provide a new copy of their biometric information for verification.
Gradual expansion to all visa types
Initially, the ETA will be deployed at the end of september 2025 at South Africa's main international airports for tourist visa applications of less than 90 days. However, the ambition of the Department of Home Affairs is to extend gradually this system to process all types of visa applications, including work visas, study permits and residence applications. The long-term objective is to achieve an immigration framework fully digital and AI-based, eliminating so fraud and inefficiency for good.
What is the coexistence with the current e-Visa system?
Currentlythe portal eVisa from South Africa is always and is used by visitors from over thirty countries.. The new ETA system should, in large partThis will replace the existing e-Visa system for the same nations. However, the Ministry has not yet communicated on a possible merger or abolition of this platform, which may require clarification to avoid complexity. unnecessary for travelers.
The countries that should be covered by the new ETA system are those requiring currently a visa to enter South Africa and are eligible for e-Visa. The list includes
- Asia : India, China, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran.
- Africa : Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tunisia, Cameroon.
- South America : Colombia, Ecuador, Peru.
- Eastern Europe : Russia, Ukraine.
The official list of eligible countries will be announced by the Ministry of the Interior closer to the launch date in september 2025. No price list has yet been released.
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