Electronic Travel Authorization Requirement in South Africa
An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement will be implemented in South Africa in a phased rollout from October 2025.
In the first phase, the requirement will apply to diplomats from Mainland China, India, Indonesia and Mexico attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, who are entering South Africa through Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport or Lanseria International Airport.
The second phase, in late November, will be extended to all passport holders from these countries entering South Africa for business or tourism. During this phase, ETAs will be required only at identified airports.
Once the pilot phases have successfully concluded, the ETA requirement will 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.
This alert, for informational purposes only, was prepared by Fragomen and originally published here. If you have any questions, please contact us.