South Africa’s New Visa Schemes Set to Ignite Growth in Film and Meetings Industries

South Africa is stepping up its game with two innovative visa schemes aimed squarely at turbocharging the country’s film and meetings sectors. The move promises not just smoother travel, but a fresh economic injection for industries long held back by outdated visa processes.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, unveiled these digital visa categories on Wednesday as part of the broader rollout of the upcoming Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. These new visa streams—known as the Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES) and the Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme (MEETS), are designed to replace the slow, paper-based applications that have hampered international business.

Fixing What Broke the Industry

Film producers, event organisers, and international delegates have felt the sting of delays for years. Schreiber cited a glaring example: a major Netflix production from Mexico was lost to South Africa because of visa delays, costing the economy an estimated R400 million.

With STAGES, film production companies can now apply online, get visa decisions within hours, and avoid tedious embassy visits abroad. This streamlined system aims to make South Africa a magnet for global productions, tapping into the country’s rich talent pool and stunning locations.

MEETS, meanwhile, fast-tracks visas for international attendees of conferences, sports events like the upcoming SA20 cricket tournament, exhibitions, and more. The plan is to eliminate bottlenecks that cause delays, helping South Africa capture its rightful share of the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) market.

Industry Welcomes the Change

Rosemary Anderson, National Chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), praised the new visa categories as transformative economic tools.

“It’s refreshing to see a Minister who really understands how much the old visa system was costing us,” Anderson said. “STAGES and MEETS aren’t just policy updates—they are clear signals that South Africa is open for business and ready to compete globally.”

Drawing lessons from abroad, Anderson pointed to Canada’s blockbuster success, where streamlined visa systems helped generate over R155 billion in film and TV production spending last year. Georgia’s 250% jump in foreign film productions over five years, fueled by smart visa and incentive policies, also offers a compelling blueprint for success.

South Africa’s own film sector contributed R7.2 billion to the economy in 2019/2020 but has since faltered amid COVID-19 disruptions and bureaucratic delays. These reforms are a shot at revival and growth.

Unlocking the MICE Market

South Africa’s MICE sector, which generated R120 billion in 2023, stands to benefit immensely from MEETS. Countries like Singapore and Thailand showcase what streamlined visa access can do. Singapore’s MICE industry pulled in over R53 billion in 2022, and Thailand attracted 1.3 million MICE travelers last year.

Anderson stressed the importance of cutting red tape to realise this potential. “We have the world-class facilities, the natural beauty, and the culture. The MEETS visa is a major step toward making South Africa a premier destination for global meetings and events.”

A Digital Future for Travel and Business

Both STAGES and MEETS promise rapid visa turnaround times through dedicated online portals—a significant leap from the cumbersome and slow paper-based applications of the past.

Fedhasa is optimistic but cautious, eager to see clear implementation timelines and smooth rollout.

With these reforms, South Africa is telling the world it’s ready to welcome filmmakers, business travellers, athletes, and artists alike, to create jobs, boost the economy, and showcase its stories on the global stage.

South Africa’s visa transformation is more than administrative change, it’s a strategic move to reclaim and grow key sectors with vast economic and cultural potential. The question now is how quickly these new systems can deliver on their promise and restore South Africa’s shine as a vibrant hub for film and international events.