New visa changes for South Africa launching next week
South Africa will officially launch its new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) technology at OR Tambo International on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
An ETA serves as a digital travel permit, allowing eligible travellers to travel without a traditional visa and is intended to speed up boarding times.
The technology has already been adopted by several other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada.
The new system will allow travellers to complete applications and biometrics online, then fast-track them through traditional immigration queues at the airport.
The launch of the ETA technology follows its initial pilot during South Africa’s G20 presidency and is considered a cornerstone of the Department of Home Affairs’ current digital transformation efforts.
“The ETA will be officially launched as the cornerstone of South Africa’s modern digital immigration system and the flagship reform of the Department of Home Affairs’ digital transformation programme,” the Presidency said.
The technology comes as part of a broader immigration system overhaul, which includes advanced biometrics and an upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (eMCS 2.0).
The presidency said the new digital ecosystem is designed to make travelling to and from South Africa “faster, simpler and more secure for legitimate travellers.”
“This reform will enhance South Africa’s competitiveness as a destination for tourism, business and investment, while supporting more efficient and secure border management.”
The presidency said that the launch of the new ETA technology is a significant milestone in its efforts to modernise immigration systems.
The technology is planned to be launched at OR Tambo International on Wednesday, 12 August, by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
Good news for travellers
Immigration and visa consulting firm, Xpatweb, has previously welcomed the digitisation of South Africa’s immigration system.
It said that the first phase of this process produced tangible results and reduced work visa processing times from up to six months to 5-10 business days.
The digital overhaul forms part of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), which is designed to streamline the immigration process for skilled workers.
Xpatweb noted that the TES does not extend to unskilled or low-wage labour, which will not benefit from the upgraded technologies.
The firm said that expanding the ETA system to all visa categories would “supercharge the system even more.”
The Department of Home Affairs acting deputy-director general, Yusuf Simons, said the overhaul of digital technologies could lead to some visa processing times being slashed to only five days.
He said the overhaul is intended to make South Africa a premier investment destination by facilitating the immigration of critical skills needed for economic growth.
Xpatweb managing director, Marisa Jacobs, said the introduction of the TES has been one of the most significant contributions from the current Home Affairs Department.
“It also sends a strong signal that South Africa is ready to welcome businesses by enhancing digital efficiency and providing more predictable pathways for much-needed critical skills to enter the economy,” she said.
The new phase of the TES will include streamlining visa processes for critical-skills employees working on strategic infrastructure projects.
Xpatweb emphasised that the overhaul of the immigration system comes with specific obligations for employers.
This includes keeping accurate records of internal recruitment searches and qualification verifications.
It also includes the mandatory submission of regular workforce reports to the Department of Home Affairs.
The Department has previously warned that failure to comply with these reporting standards could lead to businesses being excluded from the TES system.
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