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Who needs a visa for South Africa as R500 ETA fee is proposed
As South Africa expands its electronic travel authorisation system, IOL lists which countries need visas and which are visa-exempt and who may face a proposed R500 ETA fee.
South Africa is widening its electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system, and a proposed R500 ETA fee has drawn attention to which travellers will need pre-travel approval. According to IOL, the Department of Home Affairs is expanding a digital platform that could require some visitors including some currently visa-exempt nationals to complete an ETA before arrival.
What the ETA expansion means
According to IOL, the Department of Home Affairs is expanding its digital immigration system to replace paper-based processes with an online travel authorisation platform. The system was initially introduced for travellers from countries including China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, and plans now call for it to be extended to more nationalities.
According to IOL, an ETA is an electronic approval issued before travel and is designed to allow authorities to conduct security checks before a passenger arrives at a port of entry. IOL says the proposed R500 fee would apply to travellers required to obtain an ETA, not to replace visas.
Who currently needs a visa to enter South Africa
According to IOL, the article lists the following countries as requiring a visa before travelling to South Africa:
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Belgium
- Austria
- Poland
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Indonesia
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Australia
- New Zealand
The IOL piece notes that travellers from visa-required countries must obtain approval before departure because South African visas are generally not issued at ports of entry.
Who is visa-exempt
According to IOL, South Africa has visa-waiver agreements with many countries. The article lists these visa-exempt countries:
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Portugal
- Belgium
- Sweden
- Norway
- Denmark
- United States
- Canada
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Lesotho
- Eswatini
- Zimbabwe
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Chile
The article explains that citizens from these countries currently do not need a standard visitor visa for qualifying short stays, but could be required to complete an ETA application if rolled into the digital system.
How the fee fits with existing visas
According to IOL, the proposed R500 ETA fee would not replace visas. Instead, it would apply to travellers who fall within the ETA system’s requirements. The article says visa-required travellers must continue applying for visas unless they are moved onto the ETA system, while visa-exempt travellers can still enter under current rules but may later need to complete an ETA.
What remains to be decided
According to IOL, the final list of countries affected and the rollout schedule will depend on the Department of Home Affairs’ implementation and regulations.
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Source: iol.co.za
