South Africa is preparing to introduce a new R500 processing fee for its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform as the government moves ahead with a broader digital overhaul of the country’s immigration system.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has published draft regulations proposing the new fee, arguing that it will help sustain the rapidly expanding online visa platform while reducing the overall costs faced by many international travellers.
The ETA system, introduced in October 2025, forms a central part of the department’s long-term digital transformation strategy. Initially launched for selected participating countries, the platform enables travellers to submit visa applications online and receive decisions within 24 hours.
According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, the government waived both visa charges and ETA processing fees during the platform’s initial rollout because an integrated online payment system had not yet been completed. As a result, the service has been operating entirely with government funding.
Schreiber said the subsidy was always intended to be temporary and that the department is now ready to introduce online payment functionality alongside a dedicated processing fee.
Visa Costs Expected To Fall For Many Travellers
Under the proposal, every ETA application would carry a processing fee of R500.
Travellers from countries that currently enjoy visa-free access to South Africa would not be required to use the platform immediately. However, those choosing to use the ETA voluntarily for a faster and more streamlined travel experience would still pay the R500 processing fee.
For travellers from countries that require visas, use of the ETA platform will gradually become compulsory.
Applicants whose countries already qualify for visa-fee exemptions would only pay the ETA processing fee, while travellers from countries that are subject to normal visa charges would continue paying the applicable visa fee in addition to the new R500 processing charge.
Despite introducing a new fee, the DHA says many travellers will actually spend significantly less than they do under the current visa application model.
Officials estimate that applicants currently paying approximately R1,975 through outsourced visa processing channels would pay about R925 using the new digital system.
The department says the reduction is possible because visa administration will increasingly be handled directly by government rather than through external service providers.
Digital Transformation Continues
The proposed regulations are part of a wider effort by the DHA to modernise immigration services and improve border management through digital technology.
Government believes a fully digital visa application process will improve efficiency, strengthen security screening and make South Africa a more attractive destination for tourists, investors and business travellers.
Schreiber said the ETA platform is designed not only to simplify the visitor experience but also to improve the state’s administrative capacity by reducing dependence on outsourced processing services.
The department expects strong adoption even among travellers from visa-exempt countries because of the faster processing times and enhanced security offered by the platform.
If approved following the public consultation process, the new processing fee would support the long-term operation and continued expansion of South Africa’s electronic visa system while helping streamline travel into the country.
Source: Department of Home Affairs (South Africa)