Digital visa in South Africa: the ETA platform revolutionises entry in 2026
A digital revolution for international travellers
South Africa reached a decisive milestone in September 2025 with the launch of its fully digital visa platform, called ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). This innovative system, powered by artificial intelligence, processes visa applications in just 24 hours, an unprecedented timeframe for the African continent. The technology relies on facial biometrics, eliminating the need to visit a consulate or embassy in person. Applicants simply submit their documents online with a photograph and passport scan, and the AI algorithm automatically verifies document authenticity.
Initially, the ETA platform targets nationals from four countries: China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. These markets represent considerable tourism potential for South Africa, and simplifying visa procedures is a strategic lever for attracting more visitors from these high-growth regions. The government plans to gradually extend the system to additional nationalities throughout 2026.
A record number of visitors in 2025
The results were swift. In 2025, South Africa recorded a historic 10.48 million international visitors, a spectacular increase of 17.6% compared to the previous year. O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, the country's main gateway, played a central role in this dynamic, handling the majority of intercontinental flights and facilitating connections across the African continent.
This exceptional growth is driven by several combined factors: the modernisation of reception infrastructure, the diversification of the tourism offering, and of course the simplification of entry formalities through the ETA platform. The South African government has clearly made tourism a pillar of its economic development strategy.
Targeting 12 million visitors in 2026
Buoyed by these encouraging results, South Africa has set an ambitious target for 2026: surpassing the 12 million international visitor mark. To achieve this, the authorities plan to extend the ETA system to more countries and strengthen air links from Johannesburg airport. Travellers transiting through JNB will benefit from a streamlined travel experience, from the online visa application right through to arrival on South African soil.
This ambition positions South Africa as a leading destination on the African continent, capable of competing with the world's major tourism destinations in terms of innovation and accessibility. For travellers passing through Johannesburg airport, this digital transformation promises faster formalities and an ever more efficient welcome.