South Africa ETA Guide 2026: How to Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation

Last updated: Jul 4, 2026

Table of Contents

What is the South Africa ETA?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) lets eligible travellers apply online before they fly to South Africa. It is part of the country’s move to digitise visa processing and speed up arrivals at selected airports.

An approved ETA is a pre-travel authorisation, not a guaranteed right of entry. Immigration officers at the port of entry decide whether you may enter and how long you may stay.

For visa-required nationals, the ETA leads to a Port of Entry Visa (Section 10(a)). The visitor’s visa (Section 11) is then issued once you are processed at the airport.

Who can apply for the South Africa ETA?

As of June 2026, the official ETA portal accepts applications only from a limited group. You must:

Be a citizen of China, India, Indonesia or Mexico.
Hold a valid ordinary passport.
Be 18 or older — minor applications are planned for a later phase.
Arrive through O.R. Tambo, Cape Town or Lanseria International Airport.
Have a smart device that can take a selfie and scan your passport.

A pending or approved RSA eVisa or Trusted Tour Operator visa may block ETA approval.

If you are from another country, or plan to enter through a different airport, land border or seaport, use the standard ePermit/eVisa process instead. South Africa plans to extend the ETA to more nationalities and entry points later in 2026.

South Africa ETA requirements before you apply

Check your passport first, because the ETA is linked to it.

Your ordinary passport must be valid for at least 7 months from your intended travel date and for at least 30 days after your visa expiry. It must also meet ICAO standards — machine-readable, undamaged and clearly legible — or the application may be declined automatically.

Have these ready before you start:

The passport you will travel with, to scan or photograph.
A live selfie for biometric capture.
Your arrival airport, travel dates and accommodation or host details.
A payment method for the application fee.
A yellow-fever certificate, if you are travelling from or through a yellow-fever risk area.

Each ETA stay is limited to up to 90 days, and an ETA alone does not permit work.

South Africa ETA fees

The ETA application includes a payment step, which you complete online through the official portal.

All ETA fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether your application is approved or refused.

The Department of Home Affairs has not published a fixed public ETA fee schedule. The amount is expected to follow reciprocal visa arrangements and may vary by nationality, so check the exact fee shown in your portal session before you pay.

Pay only on the official ETA portal. Avoid third-party sites that add their own charges.

How to apply for the South Africa ETA online

Apply only on eta.dha.gov.za, the official government website. The steps are:

Register or log in with your email and mobile number.
Start a new application after confirming the eligibility check.
Scan the passport you will travel with.
Complete the personal and trip questions.
Take a selfie for biometric capture.
Pay the fee shown and submit.

Most applications are processed automatically, and the FAQ says you typically receive an outcome within 24 hours.

Even so, apply before booking non-refundable last-minute travel, as Home Affairs may request extra checks or documents. Your outcome is emailed to you and stored in your ETA profile, where you can view or download the approval or rejection notice.

What happens when you arrive in South Africa?

Carry your ETA approval with your passport when you travel.

At the port of entry you may need to show a valid passport, your ETA approval, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, proof of funds and a yellow-fever certificate if applicable.

Immigration officers decide your actual stay, up to a maximum of 90 days, counted from the date you enter South Africa.

You must also follow South Africa’s customs rules. SARS says you must declare certain goods, restricted items, commercial goods and excess currency, even when using the green channel.

If your trip continues elsewhere, enter first through an ETA-approved airport, then connect onward to places such as Durban or Mbombela/Kruger.

You can also compare flights to Johannesburg and flights to Cape Town, browse hotels in Johannesburg and hotels in Cape Town, and check live status on the Wego flight tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the South Africa ETA the same as a visa?

Not exactly. For visa-required travellers the ETA leads to a Port of Entry Visa. The ETA FAQ says the final visitor’s visa is issued at the port of entry after immigration processing.

Can I apply if I am not from China, India, Indonesia or Mexico?

Not yet. The ETA is currently limited to those four nationalities. If you are from another country, check the Home Affairs visa-exemption list or use the standard ePermit/eVisa process.

Can I enter South Africa through Durban with an ETA?

No. The ETA is currently accepted only at OR Tambo, Cape Town and Lanseria. If you are flying to Durban, enter first through an approved ETA airport or use the standard visa route.

Are South Africa ETA fees refundable?

No. The ETA FAQ says all fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome. Check the exact amount on the official ETA portal before you pay.

What if my ETA is refused?

You may still apply through other channels. The ETA FAQ directs unsuccessful applicants to a South African mission or embassy, or to the eVisa system where available, for manual assessment.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.