New visa launches in South Africa
The Department of Home Affairs has invited South Africa’s tourism and events sector to apply for participation in the new MEETS visa scheme.
The MEETS visa—short for the Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme—was announced in 2025 as one of two new visa types being launched in the country to boost tourism.
The first visa is the STAGES visa—short for Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme—launched at the end of 2025 to simplify visa access for film production companies.
Now, the MEETS visa aims to do the same for events.
Although South Africa is seen as a world-class events destination, outdated visa systems have repeatedly frustrated international event organisers.
International visitors to international events hosted in South Africa require visas if they are not from visa-exempt countries.
MEETS will ensure that visa applications for international attendees at significant conferences, sporting events, exhibitions, and other global events are processed online with quick turnaround times.
It is also the latest in a long line of digital-first initiatives being pursued by the DHA as it moves to offer its services in the most convenient ways possible.
The visa aligns with the aforementioned STAGES visa, as well as other successful reforms, including the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) and the ongoing rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
“The MEETS visa scheme will allow accredited and reputable event organisers to facilitate and submit group visa applications, subject to the risk profile of the delegates, through a secure digital platform,” the department said.
“The accreditation will be regulated through a formal Memorandum of Agreement with the Department, which will regulate and prescribe reduced visa requirements.”
To qualify for membership to the MEETS visa scheme, a domestic event organiser, operator, business, or organisation needs to demonstrate that it adheres to the regulatory requirements in the MEETS sector.
It must also demonstrate that it promotes the employment of South Africans and that it has sufficient administrative capacity to facilitate group visa applications for the event.
According to the DHA’s gazetted requirements, the scheme will operate on a points system, with criteria covering different values.
There are 140 points available, and companies must score at least 120 to qualify.
The DHA said that enquiries regarding the submission of expressions of interest may be directed to [email protected].
Qualifying criteria for the new visa
| # | Criteria | Requirement | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regulatory Compliance | A letter of support from the Minister, Director-General of the relevant government department, business organisation or chamber. | 25 |
| 2 | Event Capacity | Must have hosted an event with a minimum of 500 registered delegates in the last two years | 25 |
| 3 | Website | Must have a valid website with full details of the organisation. | 15 |
| 4 | Register of Delegates | Must be willing to develop and submit an online register of all foreign delegates expected to attend, in a format to be determined by Home Affairs, 60 days before the start of the event. | 20 |
| 5 | Certificate of event compliance | Must be able to provide a certificate of Section 25 of the Safety, Sports and Recreational Events Act of 2010, as provided for in Government Gazette No. 40082 dated 20 June 2016, for planned events. | 20 |
| 6 | Visa Submission Team | Must have own team, appoint a team or a representative who will submit digital visa applications on behalf of registered delegates on an online DHA platform. | 15 |
| 7 | Memorandum of Agreement | Once selected, the Chair of the organisation or the Local Organising Committee must be willing to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Home Affairs regarding the facilitation of visas for the event, including the terms and conditions. | 20 |
| TOTAL | 140 |
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