South Africa: Ramaphosa Officially Launches ETA on August 12, 2026

On August 12, 2026, South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be officially launched at OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg. President Cyril Ramaphosa will present the system alongside the Minister of Home Affairs; the ceremony will also feature a live demonstration of the platform and a guided tour led by representatives of the Border Control Authority. For travelers wishing to visit South Africa, this date marks the symbolic launch of a system that has already been operating in a pilot phase for several months.

The ETA was originally introduced in October 2025 as part of South Africa’s G20 presidency. In the first phase, it applied exclusively to nationals of four countries whose citizens had previously required a visa to enter South Africa. After the system was initially available only to participants in G20 meetings, it was subsequently opened to tourists from these four countries. The official launch on August 12 is therefore less a technical starting point than a political confirmation of a process that is already underway.

Currently, eligible travelers with regular passports can apply for the ETA online, provided they enter through one of the three major international airports—OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, or Lanseria International. Those entering through other border crossings must still go through the traditional visa process. This restriction to specific points of entry is particularly important for travel planning, as it directly influences the choice of arrival airport.

According to available information, the ETA is scheduled to be expanded to include additional countries in September 2026—reports indicate that, in the long term, the program is expected to be opened to travelers from virtually all countries. For nationals currently eligible to enter South Africa visa-free, the ETA will initially remain optional and will not be a mandatory requirement. This suggests that the system could gradually evolve into a central digital entry procedure, similar to what is already common in other countries with electronic travel authorizations.

For individuals who currently require a traditional tourist visa for South Africa, the ETA will not initially change the basic entry requirements—only the application process will be digitized for certain nationalities. Anyone planning a trip to South Africa should check the requirements applicable to their own nationality well in advance, as these may change in the coming months depending on the stage of the ETA system’s rollout. We are closely monitoring developments regarding the ETA for South Africa and are here to assist with the correct application process.

Until the system is fully rolled out, we recommend that travelers check the entry requirements currently in effect for their country and submit their application well in advance of their planned trip. The visa overview for South Africa provides a summary of the various options, while the general overview of all visa types also allows you to compare other travel destinations. We’ll handle the document review and the entire application process for you to ensure that the entry process goes as smoothly as possible.