South Africa has launched a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system that fast-tracks visas in real time and streamlines arrivals at OR Tambo and Cape Town International, a move the hospitality industry says will unlock visitor growth and jobs ahead of 2026.
Announced by Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa Leadership Conference, the system replaces paper-based applications with a secure digital process that uses machine learning, biometrics, and facial recognition through the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System 2.0.
The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA), National Chairperson, Brett Tungay, “The introduction of the ETA is a bold and visionary step that will transform how international visitors experience South Africa from the very first moment they engage with our country. By removing outdated paper-based processes and replacing them with a fast, digital, traveler-friendly platform, Minister Schreiber is dismantling one of the biggest barriers to inbound tourism growth. This will undoubtedly help attract more visitors, create much-needed jobs, and buoy our economy.”
The ETA system leverages advanced machine learning and biometrics to digitalize visa applications, enabling real-time approvals and reducing processing delays. It integrates with the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS 2.0), which will employ facial recognition at ports of entry such as OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports, ensuring smoother, more secure arrivals.
FEDHASA believes the rollout of the ETA is a decisive step that removes one of the most significant barriers to inbound travel. Building on the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), which brought more than 35,000 additional visitors from China and India in just seven months, the ETA will begin with G20 delegates and expand to China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico before a wider rollout. FEDHASA is confident that the ETA will significantly accelerate these gains, especially ahead of 2026.
“Countries that make it easy to visit are the ones that win in global tourism,” Tungay added. “With the ETA, South Africa is sending a clear signal to the world that we are open, modernizing, and ready to welcome more travellers. Tourism is one of the fastest routes to job creation, and this initiative will help unlock that potential.”
FEDHASA commends Minister Schreiber and the Department of Home Affairs for recognizing the pivotal role tourism plays in economic growth and for ensuring that the sector has the digital tools it needs to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market
