SA WELCOMES NEW DIGITAL VISA

Good news for travellers wanting to visit South Africa, as a new digital visa system is to be implemented.

During the recent Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s Leadership Conference, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber introduced the new system.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is set to eliminate visa barriers that have suppressed South Africa’s tourism potential for many years, while simultaneously revolutionising the security of our immigration processes,” said Schreiber.

The system aims to speed up visitor travel authorisation to improve the country’s tourism sector.

If everything goes to plan, the first phase of the ETA system is set to roll out in the middle of October.

The second phase is planned for November.

During the first phase will focus on G20 delegates from the four G20 member countries that require visas: China, India, Indonesia and Mexico.

The second phase will open applications to all citizens of the above-mentioned four countries.

“Once the system is stable, the ETA will be expanded to become the single entry-point for tourist visas from all countries that require visas to visit South Africa,” said Schreiber.

The ETA has been testing different online visa schemes, including the Meetings, Events, Exhibition, and Tourism Scheme (MEETS) and Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Schemes (STAGES).

Image credit: Visas News