{"id":867641,"date":"2026-07-27T16:50:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:50:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=867641"},"modified":"2026-07-27T16:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:53:11","slug":"new-r500-visa-fee-coming-to-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/government\/867641\/new-r500-visa-fee-coming-to-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"New R500 visa fee coming to South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Department of Home Affairs has gazetted proposed regulations to introduce an R500 processing fee for ETAs in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to DHA Minister Leon Schreiber, the fees, which were previously waived, would make the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform cost-effective while reducing overall visa charges for those who are forced to pay outsourced service providers to travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ETA platform launched in October 2025 and has been available to nationals of participating countries. It forms part of the DHA’s digital transformation programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department has been mandated to expand the system to enable faster economic growth by extending the system to tourists from all countries that require a visa to enter South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system allows travellers to apply for visas and have these processed seamlessly within 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schreiber said that, when the first phase of the ETA was implemented, visa fees for onboarding countries were temporarily waived because the platform did not yet have an integrated online payment capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Consequently, neither visa fees nor a dedicated ETA processing fee has been charged to date, despite the need to invest in operational maintenance of the system,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minister said the ETA has, so far, been operating as a fully subsidised service, which is unsustainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Department is now ready to roll out additional functionality, including an integrated online payment capability to collect application fees.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is now proposed that a processing fee be set at R500 per ETA application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the next phase, the department said the ETA will become compulsory for travellers from non-visa-exempt countries included on the platform. This may become the case for all travellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, it will be optional for travellers from visa-exempt countries, Schreiber said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“However, notwithstanding the optional nature of the platform for visa-exempt travellers, the Department anticipates fast uptake of this new system from visa-exempt travellers, given the significant improvements in efficiency and security it delivers,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fees for visa-exempt and non-visa-exempt travellers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The DHA said that visa-exempt travellers who voluntarily elect to use the ETA platform for an enhanced, streamlined and more convenient travel experience will also be liable for the R500 processing fee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial voluntary approach is intended to encourage uptake while preserving existing visa-free travel privileges, it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travellers from visa-required countries who are visa-fee-exempt will be required to use the ETA platform and will be liable only for the visa processing fee of R500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No visa fee will be imposed on this category, in line with existing policy provisions relating to visa fee exemptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefit for these users is faster and more efficient visa processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travellers from visa-required countries that are not visa-fee exempt will be required to use the ETA platform and will be liable for both the applicable visa fee and the ETA processing fee of R500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This dual fee structure ensures alignment with current cost-recovery principles, while supporting the maintenance, sustainability and operational funding of the ETA solution,” Schreiber said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notably, non-visa-exempt users stand to benefit by paying lower fees overall by using the new system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These travellers will end up paying a total of R925 per application, instead of the R1,975 they are currently charged on the old system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In effect, the Department is insourcing this critical function and enhancing state capacity, at a price for prospective tourists that is less than half the price they currently pay,” the minister said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed fees are outlined below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Existing Fee Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Category<\/th>Outsourced Service Provider Fee<\/th>Requirement<\/th>Existing Visa Fee<\/th>Total Cost to Traveller<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Non-visa-exempt<\/td>R1,550<\/td>Compulsory<\/td>R425<\/td>R1,975<\/td><\/tr>
Non-visa-exempt but visa-fee exempt<\/td>R1,550<\/td>Compulsory<\/td>R0.00<\/td>R1,550<\/td><\/tr>
Visa-exempt<\/td>R0.00<\/td>N\/A<\/td>R0.00<\/td>R0.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Proposed Fee Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Category<\/th>ETA Insourcing Fee<\/th>Requirement<\/th>Existing Visa Fee<\/th>Total Cost to Traveller<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Non-visa-exempt<\/td>R500<\/td>Compulsory<\/td>R425<\/td>R925<\/td><\/tr>
Non-visa-exempt but visa-fee exempt<\/td>R500<\/td>Compulsory<\/td>R0.00<\/td>R500<\/td><\/tr>
Visa-exempt<\/td>R500<\/td>Voluntary<\/td>R0.00<\/td>R500<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Comments and submissions on the proposed fee structure can be made to the department before 11 August 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The full gazette can be read below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n