South Africa officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on 12 August 2026 [1][2]. The system had been in a pilot phase since October 2025, and the first passports covered are those of China, India, Indonesia and Mexico [1][3]. Chinese passport holders living elsewhere in Africa who travel to South Africa for business or family, and relatives visiting from China, can apply online.
How to apply
- Website: eta.dha.gov.za [1][4].
- Steps: create an account, photograph the passport you will travel on, fill in the online form, then take a live photo for biometric checks [1].
- Processing time: the government says under 24 hours, and ETA holders can clear immigration in under 60 seconds in dedicated lanes [1]. That is a stated target, not a guarantee for every application.
- What it covers: the ETA is linked to your passport and allows several trips while it is valid. It does not allow you to work [1].
Only three airports for now
The ETA currently works only at OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town International and Lanseria International. If you enter at a land border or another airport, the usual visa procedure still applies [1]. This matters if you drive in from Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Botswana.
Fees: check the official site
The ETA was free at launch. Home Affairs also proposed a 500-rand electronic processing fee per application; visa-required travellers would pay a further 425 rand visitor visa fee, 925 rand in total. Public comment ran until 11 August with a proposed start date of 17 August, subject to final regulations [1]. We have not found a notice confirming the fee is in force, so go by what eta.dha.gov.za shows when you apply.
Expansion
The government’s target was to extend the ETA to all visa-required countries from September 2026, with visa-exempt visitors able to use it voluntarily [1]. A firm timetable has not been published.
Things to watch
- The ETA is for short visits. To work, run a company or live in South Africa you still need the right visa or permit; see South Africa visas and work permits.
- Apply with the passport you will travel on. A new passport needs a new application [1].
- Many agent websites charge more than the official portal. Make sure the address ends in dha.gov.za.
References
- South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa to officially launch ETA on August 12, 2026 (VisasNews, 6 August 2026)
- South Africa launches Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors (Afrviator, 13 August 2026)
- South Africa: who will be eligible for the ETA and when (VisasNews, 19 September 2025)
- South Africa Electronic Travel Authorisation portal (Department of Home Affairs)