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25 September 2025

South Africa announces phased rollout of new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) visa

On 18 September 2025, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) announced that it will roll out a new ETA visa in phases, starting in mid-October 2025. The ETA visa is part of the DHA's broader digital transformation strategy known as "Home Affairs @ Home." It is designed to streamline visa processing by allowing applicants to apply and submit their biometrics online and receive decisions in real time. The ETA visa will be linked to the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS 2.0) (i.e., a facial recognition-based border management platform that automates identity checks) initially at OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports. This initiative aims to reduce processing times and enhance border security by enabling qualifying individuals to apply for a visa online instead of at a consulate.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY's People Advisory Services, and attached below, provides additional details.

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Attachment

Full text of Tax Alert

Document ID: 2025-1936

 

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