No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
No data available for the deliverable: Implement a fully automated Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system
Summary
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which allows travellers to apply online without visiting an SA embassy or visa processing centre, was fully implemented in April 2026, confirmed by Operation Vulindlela. It is a digital pre-boarding permit that allows eligible travellers to enter a country for short visits and tourist purposes. It also helps to screen travellers before they arrive. Prior to the full launch, the ETA was implemented as a pilot phase in September 2025 for G20 delegates. President Ramaphosea officially launched the full ETA rollout on 12 August 2026 and over time, it is expected to replace paper-based visas by issuing the traveller with a unique digital code linked to their passport information.
View DetailsIs it working?
Travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico were included in the pilot phase and there has been improvement. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said at the official launch that the ETA had already processed 216,204 applications, with 6,126 fraudulent applications identified and rejected, according to Business Day. The ETA now operates at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka and Lanseria international airports. At entry, facial recognition confirms the arriving traveller matches the one authorised. The upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS 2.0) for facial identity is now active at international airports.
Actions
The ETA system has been officially launched following a pilot phase. The next step is linking the ETA and EMCS 2.0 to airport e-gates, cutting reliance on manual passport stamping for both citizens and ETA travellers. Schreiber said the next step is linking the ETA and EMCS 2.0 to airport e-gates, cutting reliance on manual passport stamping for both citizens and ETA travellers.
Are there plans?
The ETA system was officially implemented in April 2026 following a pilot phase, and the longer-term plan is to extend it beyond short-stay buisiness and tourism travel.
Is it on the agenda?
• Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda • Announced in the department's 2025 Budget Vote and the ETA system implementation was confirmed in OV's April 2026 progress report.
Goals
The aim is to modernise entry into SA by enhancing accessibility and security. The department plans to implement an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for tourist visas to streamline the visa application process, improve border entry procedures and boost tourism.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
No data available for the deliverable: Implement e-Gates at major ports of entry
No data available for the deliverable: Implement e-Gates at major ports of entry
No data available for the deliverable: Implement e-Gates at major ports of entry
No data available for the deliverable: Implement e-Gates at major ports of entry
No data available for the deliverable: Implement e-Gates at major ports of entry
Summary
Automated entry-and-exit systems (or e-gates) are yet to be launched. The Department of Home Affairs intends to expand the use of biometric technology (Biometric Movement Control System [BMCS]) for passenger and goods checks at ports of entry. Coupled with the ETA system, the Border Management Authority (BMA) will roll out automated entry-and-exit systems at all ports of entry (seaports, airports and land border crossings). This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise border management. By integrating biometric information with travel authorisation and databases, the BMCS will also enable a risk engine that notifies immigration officials in real time if a traveller has overstayed (failed to exit the country by the time their authorisation expires).
View DetailsIs it working?
The project is yet to commence. The minister announced in April 2025 the conclusion of a groundbreaking agreement between his department, the BMA, Government Printing Works (GPW) and Sars to digitally transform and revolutionise government services. The agreement includes the launch of the ETA system to digitalise and automate immigration procedures to eliminate inefficiency and fraud. The ETA will be integrated with the BMA rollout of automated entry-and-exit systems at all of the ports of entry.
Actions
ETA system is in a pilot phase.
Are there plans?
Automated entry-and-exit ports of entry form a central component of the department's Strategic Plan 2025-2030.
Is it on the agenda?
Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.
Goals
The goal is to enhance security, streamline travel processes and modernise operations.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Automated entry-and-exit systems (or e-gates) are yet to be launched. The Department of Home Affairs intends to expand the use of biometric technology (Biometric Movement Control System [BMCS]) for passenger and goods checks at ports of entry. Coupled with the ETA system, the Border Management Authority (BMA) will roll out automated entry-and-exit systems at all ports of entry (seaports, airports and land border crossings). This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise border management. By integrating biometric information with travel authorisation and databases, the BMCS will also enable a risk engine that notifies immigration officials in real time if a traveller has overstayed (failed to exit the country by the time their authorisation expires).
View DetailsIs it working?
The project is yet to commence. The minister announced in April 2025 the conclusion of a groundbreaking agreement between his department, the BMA, Government Printing Works (GPW) and Sars to digitally transform and revolutionise government services. The agreement includes the launch of the ETA system to digitalise and automate immigration procedures to eliminate inefficiency and fraud. The ETA will be integrated with the BMA rollout of automated entry-and-exit systems at all of the ports of entry.
Actions
ETA system is in a pilot phase.
Are there plans?
Automated entry-and-exit ports of entry form a central component of the department's Strategic Plan 2025-2030.
Is it on the agenda?
Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.
Goals
The goal is to enhance security, streamline travel processes and modernise operations.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Automated entry-and-exit systems (or e-gates) are yet to be launched. The Department of Home Affairs intends to expand the use of biometric technology (Biometric Movement Control System [BMCS]) for passenger and goods checks at ports of entry. Coupled with the ETA system, the Border Management Authority (BMA) will roll out automated entry-and-exit systems at all ports of entry (seaports, airports and land border crossings). This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise border management. By integrating biometric information with travel authorisation and databases, the BMCS will also enable a risk engine that notifies immigration officials in real time if a traveller has overstayed (failed to exit the country by the time their authorisation expires).
View DetailsIs it working?
The project to implement e-gates using biometrics, including facial recognition, to expedite immigration processing at major airports and ports has yet to commence. In April 2025, the minister announced a groundbreaking agreement between the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA), Government Printing Works (GPW), and SARS to digitally transform and revolutionise government services. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system pilot, which digitalises and automates immigration procedures, has already launched, signifying key steps towards future e-gate deployment, especially at airports.
Actions
ETA system is in a pilot phase, which could be a significant step towards establishing biometric e-gates or smart gates.
Are there plans?
Automated entry-and-exit ports of entry form a central component of the department's Strategic Plan 2025-2030. Home Affairs minister indicated, in September 2025, that the ETA system will be integrated with an upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS 2.0) that will be based on facial recognition at ports of entry, starting with OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airport.
Is it on the agenda?
Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.
Goals
The goal is to enhance security, streamline travel processes and modernise operations. UAE's Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport are some of the airports that already extensively use biometric smart gates for fast, contactless immigration.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Automated entry-and-exit systems (or e-gates) are yet to be launched. The Department of Home Affairs intends to expand the use of biometric technology (Biometric Movement Control System [BMCS]) for passenger and goods checks at ports of entry. Coupled with the ETA system, the Border Management Authority (BMA) will roll out automated entry-and-exit systems at all ports of entry (seaports, airports and land border crossings). This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise border management. By integrating biometric information with travel authorisation and databases, the BMCS will also enable a risk engine that notifies immigration officials in real time if a traveller has overstayed (failed to exit the country by the time their authorisation expires).
View DetailsIs it working?
The project to implement e-gates using biometrics, including facial recognition, to expedite immigration processing at major airports and ports has yet to commence. In April 2025, the minister announced a groundbreaking agreement between the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA), Government Printing Works (GPW), and SARS to digitally transform and revolutionise government services. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system pilot, which digitalises and automates immigration procedures, has already launched, signifying key steps towards future e-gate deployment, especially at airports.
Actions
ETA system is in a pilot phase, which could be a significant step towards establishing biometric e-gates or smart gates.
Are there plans?
Automated entry-and-exit ports of entry form a central component of the department's Strategic Plan 2025-2030. Home Affairs minister indicated, in September 2025, that the ETA system will be integrated with an upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS 2.0) that will be based on facial recognition at ports of entry, starting with OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airport.
Is it on the agenda?
Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.
Goals
The goal is to enhance security, streamline travel processes and modernise operations. UAE's Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport are some of the airports that already extensively use biometric smart gates for fast, contactless immigration.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Automated entry-and-exit systems (or e-gates) are yet to be launched, although facial recognition systems are already being used under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. The Department of Home Affairs intends to expand the use of biometric technology (Biometric Movement Control System [BMCS]) for passenger and goods checks at ports of entry. Coupled with the ETA system, the Border Management Authority (BMA) will roll out automated entry-and-exit systems at all ports of entry (seaports, airports and land border crossings). This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise border management. By integrating biometric information with travel authorisation and databases, the BMCS will also enable a risk engine that notifies immigration officials in real time if a traveller has overstayed (failed to exit the country by the time their authorisation expires).
No progress updates were reported in the April-June 2026 quarter.
Is it working?
The project to implement e-gates using biometrics, including facial recognition, to expedite immigration processing at major airports and ports has yet to commence. In April 2025, the minister announced a groundbreaking agreement between the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA), Government Printing Works (GPW), and SARS to digitally transform and revolutionise government services. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system pilot, which digitalises and automates immigration procedures, has already launched, signifying key steps towards future e-gate deployment, especially at airports.
Actions
ETA system is already in progress, which could be a significant step towards establishing biometric e-gates or smart gates.
Are there plans?
Automated entry-and-exit ports of entry form a central component of the department's Strategic Plan 2025-2030. Home Affairs minister indicated, in September 2025, that the ETA system will be integrated with an upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (EMCS 2.0) that will be based on facial recognition at ports of entry, starting with OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airport.
Is it on the agenda?
Forms part of the Department of Home Affairs' agenda.
Goals
The goal is to enhance security, streamline travel processes and modernise operations. UAE's Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport are some of the airports that already extensively use biometric smart gates for fast, contactless immigration.
Departments / Govt Institutions