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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 and manual systems. People had to visit offices for services and visa applications. Their systems were not connected. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) was a big idea (proposal) in 2024. The Trusted Employer Scheme existed but focused on fewer areas. If visitors wanted to extend their visas, they had to use an old paper system. This often meant visiting an office in person. South Africans used the Green ID book.

After

The Department of Home Affairs is starting with digital services first through the 'Home Affairs @ home' programme. This includes a bigger Trusted Employer Scheme. It focuses on large infrastructure projects, companies setting up their main offices (headquarters), and the financial services sector. This scheme will use digital tools to manage things. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is now active for people visiting for a short time from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. It will expand to more countries and other visa types, such as study visas, by the end of 2026. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) now includes a way for people already in South Africa to extend their visitor visas for another 90 days. People who qualify, including those who do not need a visa, can apply digitally. A Digital Identity (Digital ID) is being created. This will be a secure, verifiable digital version of official documents from Home Affairs. It will exist alongside physical Smart ID cards. More people can now get Smart ID Cards. This is thanks to a partnership with banks. The Department plans to offer passport applications and first-time Smart ID applications at bank branches. They will also deliver IDs and passports by courier. The Green ID book will no longer be used. The Smart ID Card will take its place.

This policy change means Home Affairs services in South Africa are moving from manual, paper-based ways to digital-first approaches. This aims to help the economy and keep the country safe. The live Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system makes things efficient. It has processed over 203,000 applications and found over 5,700 fraudulent ones. This greatly improves how well immigration is controlled. The digital visitor visa extension makes the process simpler for visitors who qualify and for people who do not need a visa but are already in South Africa. This reduces previous delays and uncertainty. The expanded Trusted Employer Scheme aims to attract important skilled workers and investment. It does this by making processes simpler for specific business areas. South African citizens can now get Smart ID and Passport services much more easily through bank partnerships. This prepares the way for stopping the use of the Green ID book, which was often linked to 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

  1. 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 a programme called 'Home Affairs @ home'. They are making immigration and civic services digital. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is now live for visitors coming for a short time from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. This system was a proposal before. The Department plans to offer the ETA for other types of visas, like study visas, by the end of 2026. This system has already processed over 203,000 applications and found fraud. The Trusted Employer Scheme has also grown. It now includes large infrastructure projects, companies setting up their main offices (headquarters companies), and the financial services sector. Companies must apply by 4 September for this scheme. Visitors already in South Africa can now apply for a 90-day visa extension online through the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This replaces a paper application. Many more South Africans can now get Smart ID Cards. Services are available at over 500 bank branches. The Department aims for 750 bank branches by the end of the year. Soon, people will also be able to apply for passports and their first Smart ID Cards at these branches.

Timeline

  1. Action deadline

    4 Sept 2026

    Interested companies should consider applying to the Trusted Employer Scheme before 4 September by visiting the Home Affairs website.

  2. 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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