South Africa has unveiled its vision for a smarter, faster, and more secure border experience. On 18 September 2025, Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Leon Schreiber previewed the country’s upcoming Artificial Intelligence-powered Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system during the Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s Leadership Conference signalling a major step in the digital transformation of travel to the country.
The ETA is not yet live, but a pilot phase is expected to begin later this month, initially for tourist visas of up to 90 days. The system will first be implemented at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International Airport, before being gradually expanded to additional ports of entry and visa categories. At its core, the ETA is designed to digitise and automate visa processing, using machine learning to screen applicants more efficiently and securely. By moving away from paper-based systems, the platform aims to eliminate delays, reduce fraud and corruption, and strengthen border control through smarter, tech-driven checks.
“Over time, the ETA will be expanded to more visa categories and rolled out at more ports of entry. This scale-up will continue until no person can enter South Africa without obtaining a digital visa through the ETA,” Minister Schreiber said.
The announcement follows a pledge by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his February State of the Nation Address to digitise immigration services. The ETA builds on those ambitions and complements South Africa’s existing e-Visa portal, which currently serves travellers from over 30 countries. However, it is still unclear whether the new AI-based platform will replace the e-Visa system or operate alongside it. While the announcement marks an internal milestone, it also sends a strong message externally: South Africa is serious about making travel easier, faster, and more appealing — not just for leisure visitors, but for business travellers, investors, and diaspora communities alike.
The implications go beyond national borders. Africa remains one of the world’s least open regions for intra-continental travel, with visa restrictions often cited as a major hurdle to economic integration. Experts suggest that systems like ETA — if scaled across countries and aligned regionally — could help unlock the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and boost tourism, trade, and labour mobility within the continent.
For now, all eyes are on the rollout. As South Africa edges closer to implementing one of the continent’s first AI-powered visa systems, the move could serve as a blueprint for future-ready travel policy — where efficiency, security, and openness go hand in hand.
