South Africa Expands Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Trusted Employer Scheme, Announces Digital ID and Home Affairs @ Home Reforms
What changed
The South African Department of Home Affairs is making major digital changes. They are expanding the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. It will cover more than just tourist visas, such as study visas. They are also expanding the Trusted Employer Scheme to include important parts of the economy. These changes aim to make services digital, reduce complex rules (red tape), and make things work better for South African citizens and people travelling to or investing in the country. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has been tested in four countries. It will become the main part of a full digital immigration system.
The detail
Policy history
South Africa Expands Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Trusted Employer Scheme, Announces Digital ID and Home AfRelated changes
South AfricaAsylumEffectiveEffective 9 Oct 2026 South Africa withdraws asylum seeker intake directive
What changed
The Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has withdrawn a directive about taking asylum seeker applications. This directive was initially issued on 28 September 2026. The withdrawal, announced on 9 October 2026, was made because of unexpected problems that came up after the directive was put in place, such as Refugee Reception Offices (RROs) being overwhelmed and risks to public safety. The original directive was an attempt to put into practice a Constitutional Court judgment from 7 July 2026 concerning the Scalabrini of Cape Town case. Its withdrawal means the DHA will now create a new operational approach to follow the court's order.
Published 9 Oct 2026Effective 9 Oct 2026Department of Home Affairs — Statements and speeches
South AfricaAsylumEffectiveEffective 15 Sept 2026 South Africa Relocates Asylum Seekers and Refugees to Lindela Repatriation Centre
What changed
The South African Department of Home Affairs has started moving 278 asylum seekers and people who have been granted refugee status from their informal camp in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. This project, which began on 15 September 2026, was instructed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration after detailed discussions with the affected communities and other interested groups.
Published 14 Sept 2026Effective 15 Sept 2026South African Government — Media statements and gazette notices
South AfricaEntry RulesEffectiveEffective 4 Sept 2026 South Africa Cancels Dormant Traffic Register Numbers (TRNs) for Foreign Nationals
What changed
The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration announced that the Department of Transport (DOT) has cancelled dormant Traffic Register Numbers (TRNs) for foreign nationals. This rule started on 4 September 2026. It applies to TRNs issued from 1 January 2000 to 30 June 2023. These TRNs had to be inactive after a government notice on 7 August 2026. This is part of the government's wider five-point plan to manage migration and stop rule breaking.
Published 8 Sept 2026Effective 4 Sept 2026South African Government — Gazette notices feed
South AfricaFeesPublishedIssued 17 Aug 2026 Immigration Act: First Amendment of the Regulations on Fees
What changed
South Africa has published a proposed change to the fees charged under the Immigration Act. The Department of Home Affairs published the Immigration Act: First Amendment of the Regulations on Fees on 17 August 2026. The proposal would change the current immigration fee rules. This proposal must complete a required process before it can become final. This means you should not treat this policy as a final change to South Africa's immigration fees yet.
Published 17 Aug 2026South African Government — Gazette notices feed
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