- The R500 ETA fee was gazetted on 17 August 2026, five days after the system launch
- The total cost for non-visa-exempt travellers is R925 including the R425 visa fee
- The digital system has reduced costs by over R1,000 compared with previous processing
- Processing can be completed within 24 hours through the online portal
- The ETA has initially targeted G20 nations with expansion to more countries planned
- Does NOT apply to Irish passport holders
South Africa has officially rolled out its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system following a phased pilot programme that began in late 2025. The full rollout is expanding gradually by nationality and port of entry.
The South African Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is not mandatory for Irish passport holders. Irish citizens can visit South Africa visa-free for tourism or short stays of up to 90 days, meaning you can travel using standard entry procedures without an ETA
According to the South African Department of Home Affairs ETA Portal, visa-exempt travelers like Irish citizens can voluntarily choose to apply for an ETA if they want to use a faster digital queue upon arrival. Your Irish passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure date, contain at least two completely blank pages, and be undamaged. Passport cards are not accepted.
The Department of Home Affairs gazetted the change on 17 August 2026, five days after President Cyril Ramaphosa formally launched the online travel system at OR Tambo International Airport. The fee of R500 (approximately €25) applies to travellers requiring the online authorisation before entry. The pricing model has been structured according to traveller visa requirements, with non-visa-exempt travellers facing a total cost of R925 including the standard visa fee of R425.
The ETA system has replaced traditional paper visa application processes with a secure online portal accessible from anywhere globally. The platform can process security checks and authorisations within 24 hours, eliminating the need for applicants to visit South African embassies or third-party processing centres. Previously, travellers from countries requiring a visa had paid R1,550 in processing fees on top of the R425 visa cost, totalling R1,975. The new digital system has reduced the combined charge to R925, saving applicants over R1,000 per entry.
The ETA has initially targeted G20 nations including China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, with the system actively expanding to more countries. Travellers from visa-exempt countries have faced a voluntary option of R500 for the digital check, providing smoother airport processing. The authorisation does not permit work in South Africa. The move has aimed to fund the system while streamlining border processes for international visitors.
A Department of Home Affairs representative shared moving to the in-sourced digital ETA reduces the combined charge to R925, saving applicants over R1,000 per entry.
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