G20 Delegates to Pilot South Africa’s New Electronic Travel Authorisation System

Biometric technology and electronic verification set to modernise immigration at Johannesburg and Cape Town airports

South Africa is stepping into the digital age of border control, with G20 summit delegates serving as the first visitors to pass through the country’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is piloting the program ahead of the October summit in Johannesburg, aiming to streamline immigration, reduce paper-based processes, and strengthen security.

The ETA system, announced earlier this year, combines facial recognition technology with biometric data verification, offering real-time clearance for foreign visitors. Roughly 200 G20 delegates from Mexico, Indonesia, India, and China have already had their applications processed, marking a milestone in South Africa’s efforts to modernise its immigration framework.

“As we open the ETA to all tourists in phases, we will inject growth into our tourism sector on a scale not seen before,” said Minister Leon Schreiber, highlighting the potential economic benefits of the initiative.

How the ETA Works

Legal experts at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr explained that the ETA system replaces cumbersome paper applications, allowing instant verification online. The platform integrates with the Electronic Movement Control System, which utilises facial recognition at points of entry, currently being piloted at OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports.

The first G20 arrivals will effectively stress-test the system, enabling authorities to fine-tune operations before a nationwide rollout. Officials believe that seamless implementation could make South Africa a regional leader in digital border management.

One-Stop Border Post: Complementing Digital Gates

The One-Stop Border Post Bill is also under parliamentary debate. This legislation will streamline cross-border processes, allowing joint control zones with neighbouring countries and reducing non-tariff barriers to trade.

Minister Schreiber emphasised that the bill is more than administrative reform.

“It cuts needless red tape and modernises processes that reduce non-tariff barriers to trade at a time when South Africa needs this more than ever,” he said, connecting immigration efficiency with broader economic objectives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Strengthening Security Across SADC

Opposition voices have stressed that modernisation is long overdue. RISE Mzansi National Assembly Whip Makashule Gana said South Africa’s borders remain vulnerable due to state inaction and weak regional cooperation. He argued that robust ETA systems and stronger immigration regulations within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are essential to prevent illegal crossings and criminal exploitation.

“Our government has failed to consistently enforce our laws, leaving our people exposed to criminal syndicates and leaving migrants vulnerable to a broken, corrupt immigration system. This failure is not only embarrassing, it is dangerous,” Gana said.

Public Reaction and Future Outlook

On social media, many South Africans have welcomed the ETA as a long-overdue step toward modern, secure, and efficient border control, while others have expressed caution, questioning how accessible the system will be for ordinary travellers from countries beyond the G20.

The G20 pilot represents the first practical test of a fully digital immigration process, with implications for tourism, trade, and security. If successful, South Africa could lead the way in demonstrating how technology and policy reform can reduce bottlenecks at borders, enhance security, and stimulate economic growth.

With phase one underway for G20 delegates, all eyes are on Johannesburg and Cape Town airports to see if the digital gates deliver on their promise of a smoother, smarter, and safer entry into South Africa.

{Source: The Citizen}

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