South Africa has expanded its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to 53 countries and will shut down its existing e-Visa platform on 1 December 2026, South African Tourism announced on Friday.

The ETA, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 12 August 2026 after a pilot covering four countries, lets eligible travellers apply for travel authorisation entirely online, without visiting a visa processing centre or obtaining a traditional visa sticker. The expanded programme now covers 53 countries and territories across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, including all markets previously covered by the e-Visa system.

New features for families and children

The upgraded platform adds applications for minors, with biometric capture and enrolment on the Home Affairs National Identification System available for children aged seven and above. A new multi-applicant facility lets families and groups submit applications through a single portal instead of creating separate accounts for every traveller.

Applications move to the official Department of Home Affairs portal at eta.dha.gov.za, and the existing e-Visa portal will be deactivated on 1 December. The electronic processing fee is 500 rand, about US$30, with additional visa fees depending on nationality and circumstances.

Who still needs to apply

Inclusion in the ETA programme does not mean every traveller must apply. Visa-exempt nationals can continue travelling under existing visa-free arrangements, with ETA applications remaining optional. Work and study visa applications are expected to join the platform in phases from 2027, and the system currently supports arrivals through four international airports — OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka and Lanseria — with land and sea border crossings to follow.

South African Tourism said the next phase of expansion will target key growth markets ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.