• Government launches fully digital ETA platform ahead of G20 Summit in November

• Pilot phase starts in October with delegates from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico

• Tourism targets include raising GDP share to 10% and creating 2.5 million jobs

South Africa has introduced a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system designed to simplify visa procedures and improve the travel experience. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced the rollout on September 18, describing it as a milestone in modernizing the country’s immigration system.

The fully digital platform allows travelers to apply online, submit biometric data, and receive real-time approvals. Automated facial recognition will be used at OR Tambo and Cape Town international airports.

The initiative coincides with the G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for November 22–23 in Johannesburg. A pilot phase will begin in mid-October, initially covering G20 delegates from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. From November, tourists from those countries will also be able to use the system. The ETA will eventually be extended to all visa-required travelers, with automated entry and exit points.

Officials expect the system to boost South Africa’s tourism sector by cutting waiting times, improving security, and enhancing visitor experience. Tourism is already rebounding, with 2.6 million arrivals in the first quarter of 2025, up 5.7% from a year earlier. The industry contributed 8.8% to GDP in 2024 and supported 1.68 million jobs.

If fully implemented, the ETA could help raise tourism’s share of GDP to 10%, create 2.5 million jobs, and attract at least 1 million additional international visitors annually.