Major new visa system coming to OR Tambo International Airport
South Africa is set to take a major step towards modernising its immigration system with the official launch of its new Electronic Travel Authorisation…
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South Africa is set to take a major step towards modernising its immigration system with the official launch of its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform at OR Tambo International Airport this August.
The system, which will be launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber on 12 August, is expected to make travelling to South Africa faster, simpler and more secure for eligible international visitors.
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital travel permit that allows eligible travellers to obtain permission to travel without using the traditional visa application process.
Through the new platform, travellers will be able to complete their application and biometric verification online before departure, allowing for faster processing when they arrive in South Africa.
Similar digital travel authorisation systems are already used in countries including the United Kingdom and Canada.
The launch at OR Tambo follows the successful pilot of the ETA during South Africa’s G20 Presidency and forms a key part of the Department of Home Affairs’ digital transformation programme.
According to Presidency, the ETA is the flagship reform of a broader modernisation project that also includes advanced biometric technology and an upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (eMCS 2.0).
The new digital ecosystem is intended to improve border security while making entry and exit procedures quicker and more efficient for legitimate travellers.
Boost for tourism and business
Government also believes the new system will strengthen South Africa’s competitiveness as a destination for tourism, business and investment by reducing delays and modernising immigration services.
The launch comes shortly after the Department of Home Affairs gazetted proposed regulations that would introduce a R500 ETA processing fee once the system’s integrated online payment capability is rolled out.
Under the proposal, the fee would apply differently depending on a traveller’s visa status.
Travellers from visa-required countries would use the ETA as part of the visa application process, while travellers from visa-exempt countries would initially be able to use the system voluntarily for a faster, more streamlined travel experience.
The proposed fee structure is still subject to the public consultation process before it can be implemented.