South Africa's New ETA System to Simplify Travel Entry

Get ready for a smoother entry into South Africa. The new ETA system is coming soon, starting with G20 delegates.

, and Administrator

2025 October 6 . 12:07 PM

1 min read

In this image there is a cloth on that cloth there are two photos and there is some text,... — In this image there is a cloth on that cloth there are two photos and there is some text, spectacles, star and camera, on the left there is blue color cloth on that there are clocks.

South Africa's New ETA System to Simplify Travel Entry

South Africa is set to launch a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, aiming to simplify entry into the country for both visa-required and visa-exempt travelers. Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, revealed the plans yesterday.

The ETA system will initially cater to G20 delegates from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico attending the November summit. Online applications will open in mid-October 2025, with approval results expected within 24 hours. The ETA will be valid for up to 90 days, extendable once for a total of 180 days.

The tourism industry is working on solutions to collect biometric data from visa-exempt travelers, integrating machine learning for real-time approvals. The ETA will first be available at OR Tambo and Cape Town international airports, with gradual expansion to other entry points. By the end of 2026, the system is expected to cover all visa-required markets and open to the public of four countries in 2026.

South Africa's ETA system promises swift and secure entry for travelers, with a full rollout planned by the end of 2026. The initial phase, starting mid-October 2025, will cover G20 delegates entering through OR Tambo and Cape Town international airports.