South Africa Proposes R500 ETA Fee as Digital Travel System Expands – Public Comments Open Until August 11
Updated: Jul 29
The Department of Home Affairs has gazetted draft regulations introducing a ZAR 500 processing fee for Electronic Travel Authorization applications, marking the next phase of South Africa's digital immigration transformation.
Published: July 29, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has published draft amendments proposing a ZAR 500 (approximately US$30) processing fee for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) applications. The proposal, gazetted by Minister Leon Schreiber on July 27, 2026, is open for public comment until August 11, 2026.
If adopted, the amendments will take effect on August 17, 2026.
The ETA platform, which launched in October 2025, has operated without charging fees during its initial phase because online payment functionality was not yet available. Minister Schreiber stated that running the ETA as a "fully subsidised service" is financially unsustainable, necessitating the introduction of a processing fee to support operational maintenance.
Official ETA Application Portal
What Is the South Africa ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorization is a digital authorisation that allows prospective travelers from eligible visa-required countries to travel to South Africa for tourism or visitor purposes without the need for a traditional visitor's visa.
Key features include:
Feature | Details |
Digital Format | Fully online application – no need to visit embassies or VFS centres |
Passport-Linked | Electronically linked to the traveller's passport |
Multiple Entries | Allows multiple entries during validity period |
Stay Duration | Up to 90 days per visit, with one 90-day extension available online |
Work Prohibition | Work in South Africa is not permitted on an ETA |
Processing Time | Intended processing within 24–48 hours |
Biometric Integration | Uses facial recognition and advanced document verification |
Proposed Fee Structure – Who Pays What?
The proposed R500 fee applies differently depending on the traveller's visa status:
Traveller Category | Visa Fee | ETA Processing Fee | Total |
Visa-required (not fee-exempt) | R425 (US$25) | R500 (US$30) | R925 (US$55) |
Visa-required (fee-exempt) | R0 | R500 (US$30) | R500 (US$30) |
Visa-exempt (voluntary ETA) | R0 | R500 (US$30) | R500 (US$30) |
Current Cost Comparison: Travellers from non-visa-exempt countries currently pay R1,975 (US$118) through the outsourced VFS system. Under the new structure, they would pay R925 (US$55) – less than half the current cost.
Phased Rollout Timeline
Phase 1 – October 2025 (G20 Delegates)
ETA requirement applied to diplomats from Mainland China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg
Entry through OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport only
Phase 1 Expansion – November 2025
ETA ports of entry expanded to include Lanseria International Airport
Phase 2 – February 12, 2026
Nationals of Mainland China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico holding ordinary passports became eligible to apply for ETA or eVisa online for business or tourism purposes
Entry through OR Tambo, Cape Town International, and Lanseria airports
eVisa Platform Reliability: Since the eVisa platform can at times be unreliable due to system updates and technical issues, nationals from the four pilot countries are advised to submit ETA applications rather than eVisa applications, especially for urgent or time-sensitive trips.
Phase 3 – Future Expansion (2026)
ETA will be required for travelers from non-visa-exempt countries listed on the platform
Expansion to all international airports and the busiest land ports, including:
Beitbridge (Zimbabwe)
Lebombo (Mozambique)
Kopfontein and Skilpadhek (Botswana)
Maseru Bridge (Lesotho)
Full rollout to all visa-required markets globally
Voluntary Option for Visa-Exempt Travellers
Travellers who are exempt from needing a visa can choose to obtain an ETA by paying the ZAR500 processing fee
This "initial voluntary approach" is intended to encourage uptake while preserving existing visa-free travel privileges
The Department anticipates rapid uptake from visa-exempt travellers due to improvements in efficiency and security
Impact on Travellers
Benefits
No embassy visits – Apply from home through a fully digital platform
Faster processing – 24–48 hour turnaround
Cost savings – Up to 53% reduction in application costs for some travellers
Dedicated ETA lanes – Processing at airports in under 60 seconds
94% approval rate for completed applications
Important Notes
No ETA on arrival – Those who require an ETA or eVisa who arrive in South Africa without one will be denied entry
Not for work – Work in South Africa is not permitted on an ETA
Exempt entrants – Foreign nationals with South African residence rights or work permits do not need an ETA
Key Dates
Event | Date |
ETA Platform Launch | October 2025 |
Phase 2 (Four Countries) | February 12, 2026 |
Draft Fee Regulations Gazetted | July 27, 2026 |
Public Comment Deadline | August 11, 2026 |
Proposed Effective Date | August 17, 2026 |
Quick Reference
Aspect | Details |
Proposed Fee | ZAR 500 (US$30) |
Current Fee | R0 (waived during pilot) |
Total Cost (visa-required) | R925 (US$55) – down from R1,975 |
Processing Time | 24–48 hours |
Validity | Multiple entries, up to 90 days per visit |
Pilot Countries | China, India, Indonesia, Mexico |
Public Comment | Until August 11, 2026 |
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For the latest South Africa visa updates, ETA developments, work permit changes, and 2026 immigration news worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/category/south-africa
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