Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, is set to unveil the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on Thursday as the neighbouring country streamlines its visa processes and embraces digital platforms.
The ETA system is scheduled to launch later this month for short-term visitors.
This AI-powered system will streamline visa processing by allowing eligible travellers to apply for and receive a digital code online before their trip, which will be verified via biometrics on arrival.
The exact list of eligible nationalities will be announced at the official launch. The system aims to reduce administrative burdens and enhance border security.
In a public notice on Monday, the Department of Home Affairs said: “On 18 September, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, will deliver an in-depth public presentation of the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) currently under development.”
The department added that through cutting-edge machine learning technology, the ETA was designed to digitalise and automate South Africa’s visa processes over time, eliminating inefficiency and fraud.
Currently, South African visas are generally processed by South African diplomatic missions (embassies, consulates) in the applicant’s home country or through VFS Global, a third-party outsourcing service.
The process involves downloading and completing the correct application form, gathering the required supporting documents, attending an in-person appointment at the designated mission or service centre, paying the non-refundable fee, and then waiting for the decision.
