As global travel rebounds and immigration systems evolve, one of the most significant developments for South Africa in 2025 is the rollout of a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. This change is poised to reshape how visitors, both visa-required and visa-exempt, approach their short stays in South Africa. For travellers and travel agents alike, it’s important to understand how this affects short-stay travel planning, compliance, and convenience.
What is the ETA system, and when is it launching?
In mid-2025, the South African Department of Home Affairs announced plans to introduce an ETA as part of a digital transformation of immigration processes. The ETA is intended to serve as a digital authorisation for short-stay tourist visits (typically up to 90 days), streamlining the entry process and reducing paperwork burdens.
At the time of writing, the ETA is expected to go live around mid-October 2025, initially focusing on visa-required tourists. The new system promises more efficient processing, better fraud detection, and an improved traveller experience at border control.
It remains to be seen how the ETA will interface with or replace the existing e-Visa portal and whether some visitor categories will still require traditional visa applications.
Why the ETA matters for short-stay travel visitors and South Africans
Previously, many visitors to South Africa (especially from visa-required countries) had to apply for a traditional visa at a South African diplomatic mission or consulate. That process often involved submitting paper documents, biometric data, and enduring lengthy wait times. With the ETA, many of those steps will become digital, potentially reducing turnaround times and simplifying administrative overhead.
For South African travellers going abroad, the significance is also in reciprocal changes in global visa expectations. Host countries may increasingly expect visitors to use ETAs for short stays or visa-waiver regimes, making South Africa’s move part of a broader trend.
For example, Ireland’s Short-Stay Visa Waiver Programme allows holders of certain UK short-stay visas to travel to Ireland without having to apply for a separate Irish visa, under specific conditions. Developments like that illustrate how visa policies globally are becoming more interconnected and reliant on digital authorisations.
The rise in visa demand and the lessons from Ireland
While South Africa is modernising its own system, it’s also instructive to watch what’s happening elsewhere, especially with destinations popular among South African travellers. In 2025, Ireland has seen a surge in visa applications from South Africa, driven by tourism, education, and events.
The Irish Visa Desk has warned of high volumes and urged that short-stay visa applications be submitted up to 90 days in advance to allow sufficient processing time. In some instances, delayed or incomplete documentation has led to processing backlogs, even for straightforward tourism applications.
For South Africans planning to visit Ireland (or similar destinations), one lesson is clear: apply early, ensure all your documentation is complete, and avoid booking commitments until your visa is confirmed.
What travellers should do in light of the ETA rollout
If you’re planning a short trip to South Africa, or involved in travel planning for clients, here are some recommended steps:
- Check eligibility and timing
Confirm whether your nationality will require the ETA or a traditional visa, and whether your intended length of stay falls within the system’s remit (e.g. up to 90 days). - Prepare documents in advance
Even though the ETA is digital, you may still need supporting documents (passport, travel itinerary, proof of funds, etc.). Have them ready in high quality and in the required format. - Avoid last-minute travel plans
Just because the process is going digital doesn’t mean processing will be instantaneous, especially during peak seasons. Submitting well before your travel window is safer. - Watch for transitional changes
Because the ETA is new, there may be teething issues or transitional rules. Keep abreast of official communications from the Department of Home Affairs to ensure compliance. - Be cautious when booking before authorisation
Refrain from purchasing non-refundable flights or accommodation until you have your ETA or visa confirmation.
Broader implications for South Africa’s tourism and competitiveness
The ETA initiative is part of a broader push by the South African government to modernise immigration, attract tourists, and accelerate the travel economy. By reducing friction for short-stay visitors, the tourism sector stands to benefit from more spontaneity in travel decisions and greater global appeal.
It also positions South Africa closer to global norms: many countries now use ETA or e-Visa systems for short stays (e.g. Australia, Canada, many Schengen nations).
For travellers from South Africa, this means an expectation that they too may soon be interacting with ETAs or digital authorisations when visiting foreign destinations. Keeping pace with these global shifts is no longer optional, it’s essential.
