Tourism & short stayAnnouncementHigh impactVerified

South Africa Expands Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Trusted Employer Scheme, Announces Digital ID and Home Af

🇿🇦 South AfricaeVisa1 recorded versionLast change 12 Aug 2026

ConfidenceVery high · 95%

Current rules

The Department of Home Affairs is implementing a digital-first approach through the 'Home Affairs @ home' programme. This includes an expanded Trusted Employer Scheme focusing on major infrastructure projects, companies setting up headquarters, and the financial services sector, with digital administration. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is live for short-stay visitors from four countries (China, India, Indonesia, Mexico) and will expand to more countries and visa categories (e.g., study visas) by year-end 2026. The ETA now includes an extension module for visitor visas for an additional 90 days, allowing digital application for qualifying visitors already in South Africa (including visa-exempt travellers). Digital Identity (Digital ID) is being developed as a secure, verifiable digital version of Home Affairs products, co-existing with physical Smart ID cards. Access to Smart ID Cards is significantly expanded through a partnership with the banking sector, with plans for passport applications and first-time Smart ID applications at bank branches, and courier delivery of IDs and passports. The Green ID book will be discontinued in favour of the Smart ID Card.

Overview

The South African Department of Home Affairs is implementing a major digital transformation, expanding the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) beyond tourist visas to other categories like study visas, and broadening the Trusted Employer Scheme to include key economic sectors. These reforms aim to digitise services, cut red tape, and improve efficiency for both South African citizens and international travellers/investors. The ETA system, already piloted for four countries, is set to become the foundation for a comprehensive digital immigration platform.

Who is affected by the latest change

Foreign tourists and business visitors
Foreign workers and skilled professionals
International students
Employers recruiting foreign workers
Companies qualifying for the Trusted Employer Scheme
South African citizens using digital Home Affairs services
Travellers from countries being added to the ETA system

What changed in the latest version

Before

The Department of Home Affairs used paper documents, manual steps, separate computer systems, and required people to visit offices for services and visa applications. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was a big idea in 2024. The Trusted Employer Scheme had a smaller focus. Extending a visitor visa meant using an old paper process, often requiring people to go to an office in person. The Green ID book was in use.

After

The Department of Home Affairs is now focusing on digital services through the 'Home Affairs @ home' programme. This includes a larger Trusted Employer Scheme for major infrastructure projects, companies setting up headquarters, and the financial services sector. This scheme will use digital administration. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is now active for short-stay visitors from four countries: China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. It will expand to more countries and visa types, like study visas, by the end of 2026. The ETA now includes a way for visitors to apply online for an additional 90-day visitor visa extension if they are already in South Africa and qualify. This includes people who do not normally need a visa. A Digital Identity (Digital ID) is being created. This will be a secure, online version of Home Affairs documents that can be checked. It will exist alongside physical Smart ID cards. Access to Smart ID Cards is much greater now through a partnership with banks. Plans are in place to allow passport applications and first-time Smart ID applications at bank branches. IDs and passports will be delivered by courier. The Green ID book will no longer be used; instead, the Smart ID Card will be used.

This change in policy means that Home Affairs services in South Africa are moving from manual, paper-based steps to a digital-first approach. This aims to help the economy and improve national safety. The active ETA system makes things more efficient. It has handled over 203,000 applications and found over 5,700 fraudulent ones. This greatly improves immigration control. The digital visitor visa extension makes the process simpler for visitors and people who do not need a visa, if they qualify and are already in South Africa. This reduces past delays and uncertainty. The expanded Trusted Employer Scheme aims to attract important skills and investments by making processes easier for specific business areas. More ways to get Smart ID and passport services through banks makes things much more convenient for South African citizens. This also prepares for stopping the use of the Green ID book, which is often used for fraud.

Explained simply

South Africa is making it much easier to get visas and official documents by using computers and the internet more. If you want to visit or study in South Africa, the new online system (ETA) will let you apply from your phone and skip long lines. Big companies that bring jobs to South Africa can also get special help to bring in skilled workers faster. Also, South Africans can now get their ID cards and passports at banks, and soon even have them delivered to their homes, instead of going to busy government offices. This is all to make things quicker and simpler for everyone.

Frequently asked

Version history

v1Effective 12 Aug 2026AnnouncementHigh impact
South Africa Expands Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Trusted Employer Scheme, Announces Digital ID and Home Affairs @ Home Reforms
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs is making big changes under 'Home Affairs @ home'. It is moving immigration and citizen services online. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is now active for short-stay visitors from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. Before, the ETA was only a plan. The Department plans to add other visa types, like study visas, by the end of 2026. This system has handled over 203,000 applications. It has also found fraud. The Trusted Employer Scheme now includes major infrastructure projects, companies setting up headquarters, and financial services. Applications for this scheme are due by 4 September. Visitors already in South Africa can now apply online for a 90-day visa extension using the ETA. This replaces an old paper system. More South Africans can now get Smart ID Cards. Services are available at over 500 bank branches, with a goal of 750 by the end of the year. Passport applications and first-time Smart ID applications will also move to bank branches later.

Timeline

Action deadline
4 Sept 2026
Interested companies should consider applying to the Trusted Employer Scheme before 4 September by visiting the Home Affairs website.
Announced
21 Jul 2026
The South African Department of Home Affairs is implementing a major digital transformation, expanding the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) beyond tourist visas to other categories like study visas, and broadening the Trusted Employer Scheme to include key economic sectors. These reforms aim to digitise services, cut red tape, and improve efficiency for both South African citizens and interna

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