South Africa Proposes R500 Charge For New Digital Travel Authorisation System
Travellers using South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system could soon be required to pay a R500 processing fee under proposed changes by the Department of Home Affairs.
The draft regulations, published by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, propose introducing the charge as the department prepares to expand the digital travel platform beyond its initial rollout phase.
Members of the public have until 11 August 2026 to submit comments on the proposed amendments.
The ETA, which was launched in October 2025, allows eligible travellers from selected visa-required countries to obtain digital approval before travelling to South Africa for tourism or visitor purposes.
Free access phase coming to an end
According to The Citizen, when the system was introduced, Home Affairs temporarily waived fees because the platform did not yet have an integrated online payment system.
Schreiber said the service has been operating with full government funding, a model he described as unsustainable in the long term.
The next phase of the programme will introduce online payment capabilities, allowing the department to collect processing fees directly from applicants.
“The introduction of the ETA platform and an associated processing fee of R500 per application will therefore deliver immediate cost savings,” Schreiber said.
Different fees depending on traveller category
Under the proposed structure, travellers who require a South African visa but are exempt from paying visa application fees will only pay the R500 ETA processing charge.
Those who require a visa and are not exempt from visa fees will pay both the existing visa fee and the additional R500 ETA processing fee.
Visa-exempt travellers will also be able to voluntarily use the ETA system during the initial phase, but they will still be required to pay the R500 fee if they choose to use the platform.
The department said this approach will allow travellers to benefit from a faster digital process while maintaining existing visa-free travel arrangements.
Government highlights cost and security benefits
Home Affairs said the digital system will reduce the need for travellers to visit South African missions or application centres, cutting costs linked to travel, paperwork and waiting times.
Schreiber said the ETA would also strengthen border security by allowing authorities to assess travellers before they arrive in the country.
The minister added that the new system would reduce costs for travellers who currently rely on outsourced visa processing services.