Key points
- The key change: South Africa's ETA now accepts short-stay visa applications from 53 countries, up from four during its pilot, with more being added
- The platform, officially launched on August 12, 2026, uses facial recognition, passport verification and machine learning, with outcomes typically within 24 hours
- Applications cost a R500 (~US$30) electronic processing fee, plus any visa fee that applies
- What stays limited: The ETA works at only four international airports, applicants must be 18 or older, and travelers must arrive through the airport chosen in their application
South Africa’s digital travel approval now reaches 53 countries, but only four airports
South Africa officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform on August 12, 2026, giving eligible travelers a digital way to apply for permission to visit. The system uses facial recognition and automated checks, with application outcomes typically available within 24 hours.
Since the launch, the platform has expanded to cover short-stay visa applications from 53 countries, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said on October 1. However, it remains limited to four international airports, and not every traveler can use it yet.
How does South Africa’s ETA work?
Applying online
Travelers apply online from anywhere in the world, entering their personal, passport and travel details and paying any fees that apply, according to the official ETA portal. Details are read directly from the passport and can’t be corrected after submission.
The ETA uses facial recognition, passport verification and machine learning to check applications, according to Schreiber’s October 1 speech. Applicants take a live photo, which the system compares with their passport image. Automated checks also help identify potentially fraudulent documents and applications. By the August launch, the platform had processed 216,204 applications and rejected 6,126 as fraudulent, according to Schreiber’s launch speech.
Getting an outcome
Most applications are processed automatically, and applicants typically get an outcome within 24 hours, the portal says. That’s a typical time, not a guaranteed deadline, and some applications may need further review. Outcomes arrive by email and are stored in the traveler’s ETA profile. Approved travelers can also keep their ETA in the digital wallet on their smartphone.
Arriving in South Africa
At the airport, travelers look into a camera so border officials can confirm they’re the same person who was approved. This runs on an upgraded movement control system, EMCS 2.0, which the Border Management Authority built with the South African Revenue Service.
An approved ETA doesn’t guarantee entry. An immigration officer still makes the final decision and may ask for documents such as a return ticket, proof of accommodation, proof of funds or a yellow fever certificate.
Who can use the ETA right now?
Which nationalities can apply?
South Africa’s ETA has expanded well beyond its original four-country pilot for China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. On October 1, 2026, Schreiber confirmed that the platform was accepting short-stay visa applications from 53 countries, with more being added every week. The government hasn’t published a full list, so travelers should check their nationality’s eligibility on the official ETA portal before applying.
Over time, the ETA will become compulsory for short visits by nationals who need a visa for South Africa. Travelers from visa-exempt countries can use it voluntarily.
Which airports accept it?
The ETA isn’t in use nationwide yet. It’s currently available at four international airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
- Cape Town International Airport
- King Shaka International Airport (Durban)
- Lanseria International Airport
Important: Select your intended arrival airport carefully. South Africa’s ETA portal says travelers must enter through the port of entry chosen in their application, and arriving through a port that isn’t enabled for the ETA may affect admission. Facial recognition and EMCS 2.0 will reach land and sea ports of entry over the coming months, according to Schreiber.
What are the passport and age requirements?
Applicants must use a valid, machine-readable ordinary passport and meet the validity requirements displayed on the official ETA portal. Check these carefully before applying.
The portal currently only accepts applicants who are 18 or older. This limits who can apply through the ETA, not whether children can enter South Africa: minors still travel under the standard visa and entry rules, and the portal says ETA applications for them will open in a later phase.
What else should travelers know?
How much does it cost?
The ETA carries a R500 (~US$30) electronic processing fee, set in Government Gazette 55209, Notice R.7834, published on August 17, 2026. Travelers who also owe a visa fee, such as the R425 (~US$25) visitor’s visa fee, pay it on top. Fees aren’t refundable, even if the application is refused. Our earlier coverage explains how the fee was proposed.
How long is an ETA valid?
The portal says an ETA is typically valid for up to six months and allows multiple entries. That’s the period in which you can travel, not how long you can stay: each stay is limited to 90 days, and the length of each stay is set by the immigration officer at the port of entry.
What doesn’t the ETA cover?
The ETA is for eligible short-stay visitors. On its own, it doesn’t allow you to work in South Africa: short-term work needs an invitation from a registered South African organization and a separate work visitor’s visa. It also doesn’t replace visa requirements for travelers who can’t use it. They still apply through a South African embassy or mission, or through the eVisa system where it’s available.
What’s coming next?
Visitors already in South Africa, including visa-exempt travelers, can now use the platform to apply to extend their stay by up to 90 days. Home Affairs plans to add study and work visas to the ETA in early 2027, Schreiber said in his October 1 speech.
For an overview of South Africa’s other entry requirements, see our South Africa travel guide.
