An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement is being implemented in South Africa in a phased rollout from October 2025 to attract tourism and investment, and to ease mobility to South Africa. The ETA will offer faster entry than the current eVisa process.
In the first phase, the requirement applied to diplomats from Mainland China, India, Indonesia and Mexico who attended the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, and who entered South Africa through Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport or Lanseria International Airport.
The second phase, implemented in November 2025, was extended to all passport holders from the above countries entering South Africa for business or tourism.
Once the pilot phases have successfully concluded, the ETA requirement is expected to be expanded to visa-required and visa-exempt nationals from all other countries entering South Africa for business or tourism through all airports, land and sea borders. No exact start date has yet been confirmed.
Travelers who require an ETA arriving in South Africa without one will not be able to obtain an ETA upon arrival. Those travelers will be denied entry.
The ETA requirement will not apply to foreign nationals who hold South African residence rights or work authorization.
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