South Africa has recently introduced its electronic visa (eVisa) service, enabling foreign visitors to conveniently apply for a visa online.

Expansion of the South African eVisa

The South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has announced the expansion of the South Africa e-Visa program to 20 new nationalities.

The e-Visa system simplifies the application process by enabling foreign visitors to apply online for a South Africa Visa. This reduces visa processing time and eliminates the need to visit a South African consulate.

The South Africa e-Visa was first implemented in February 2022. Over 12.3777 visa applications have been processed through the online system since its launch. 

The government has now decided to expand the number of eligible citizens after solving some initial technical issues such as slow network speeds. They have also established an enhanced e-Visa hub.

Streamlining the Visa Application Process

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the government's efforts to streamline and modernise the visa application procedure. The implementation of the eVisa is a notable step in this direction.

Nationalities Eligible for South Africa's eVisa Program

The South African eVisa system has been launched, providing a convenient travel option for visitors. At present, citizens of 14 countries worldwide are eligible to apply for the eVisa.

Eligible Countries

The following 14 nations are currently included in the South African eVisa program:

• Cameroon

• China

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Egypt

• Ethiopia

• India

• Iran

• Kenya

• Mexico

• Nigeria

• Pakistan

• The Philippines

• Saudi Arabia

• Uganda

Nationalities Added to the South Africa e-Visa Application

The new nationalities eligible for the South Africa e-Visa are the following:

• Albania
• Algeria
• Belarus
• Bulgaria
• Cuba
• Comoros
• Republic of Congo
• Croatia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Indonesia
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Lithuania
• Liberia
• Mali
• Morocco
• Niger
• Romania
• Senegal

The new additions bring the number of eligible nationalities to 34. 

Future Expansion

With the current eVisa system in place, South Africa is likely to consider expanding eligibility to include citizens of additional countries in the future. This expansion aims to enhance accessibility and promote tourism to the country.

Understanding the Functionality of South Africa's New eVisa System

The South African government has recently implemented a significant update to its visa policy, opening up a convenient and streamlined process for international travellers. Now, individuals holding a passport issued by any of the 14 countries listed can apply for an eVisa online. This digital visa enables smooth entry into the country for both holidaymakers and business travellers.

Applying for an e-Visa

To take advantage of this new online service, eligible travellers simply need to complete a concise application form, which can be accessed and filled out using any computer or device with internet access. 

• Complete a concise application form online.
• Access and fill out the form using any computer or device with internet access.
• The South African Department of Home Affairs assures a convenient and secure application process.

Hassle-free Application Process

The online application form requires applicants to provide their personal details and any relevant information necessary for the visa process. Additionally, supporting documents, such as identification papers or travel itineraries, can be easily uploaded in a digital format. This streamlined process aims to reduce paperwork and simplify the application procedure.

Presenting the Approved eVisa

Once the eVisa application is approved, travellers are required to print a copy of the eVisa confirmation. This printed document must be presented at the border control when arriving in South Africa. By doing so, visitors can swiftly proceed with their travel plans without any hassle or delays.

South Africa's Progressive Visa System: Embracing Modernization

The new eVisa system is part of a drive from the government to modernise the visa application process and make it easier for foreign nationals to get the travel authorization they need.

In addition to expanding the eVisa program, the government is working to implement start-up and remote work visas by June 2023.

For the past two years, these visas and a broader initiative to attract skilled labour to South Africa have been focal topics of president Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

South Home Affairs minister has long said that there was no regulatory framework to introduce these proposed visa types. However, there now seems to be movement on the implementation.

Why South Africa Is Changing Its Visa Policy 

The recent changes in the South African Visa Policy reflect the country’s push to boost tourism and draw critical skills to South Africa. 

One obstacle is the significant backlog in the processing of critical skills visas. In 2022, the DHA aimed to process the majority of critical skills visas within 4 weeks of receipt. However, it’s estimated that this was only achieved for around 20% of these requests.

In response, the government stated in March that it will prolong the validity of some standing visas as it works to complete over 62,700 backlogged requests. 

Additionally, the DHA has now set an aim to process 90% of these visas in 2023. The backlog is expected to be completely cleared in 2024.