Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber’s new trailblazing development to simplify entry procedures into South Africa in a massive boost for the tourism industry while also revolutionising the security of our immigration processes.
The country’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system forms the cornerstone of Minister Schreiber’s commitment to modernise Home Affairs since taking office.
Successful applicants from G20 participant countries will soon get their visa on the spot as a digital document with a secure QR code that can be stored on any smartphone device.
This is yet another example of the DA in government embracing modern technology to streamline governance and finding ways to turbocharge the economy by creating jobs.
Managed by the Border Management Authority, the ETA will greatly enhance security and fraud prevention measures, thus ensuring for the controlled movement of persons within the country. This drastically shifts border security from a reactive, physical checkpoint model to a proactive, intelligence-driven one.
Over the coming years, the ETA will be expanded to other visa categories, with automated entry-and-exit, based on facial recognition, to be rolled out to all ports of entry.
A streamlined, digital application process from the comfort of your home is a significant incentive for tourists from key markets such as India, China, and several European nations.
For business travellers in particular, an ETA makes it vastly easier for business tourists who often need to travel at short notice. This also positions South Africa as a more attractive destination for conferences, investment meetings, and corporate travel, supporting the broader economy and foreign direct investment, and most importantly driving an economic multiplier effect.
Minister Schreiber’s Trusted Tour Operator Scheme pilot has already brought in more than 35 000 additional tourists from China and India in just seven months, and the ETA has the potential to turbocharge these numbers in 2026.
This is a massive change from the status quo. No more long queues, paper forms and inefficiency. With the DA in government the gateway to South Africa is now accessible by the click of a button on a cell phone, ensuring South Africa becomes a leader in digital transformation.
Regards
Adrian Roos MP
DA Spokesperson on Home Affairs