President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially launched South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system at OR Tambo International Airport, describing the reform as a critical step in making the country more competitive in the global economy while creating much-needed jobs.
The launch took place on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, following a successful pilot implementation during South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
The ETA system combines advanced biometric verification, machine learning and the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (eMCS 2.0) as part of a modern digital immigration ecosystem.
‘A statement about the kind of country we are building’
Addressing dignitaries and officials at the country’s busiest airport, President Ramaphosa emphasised that the initiative represents far more than a technological upgrade.
“This is far more than the introduction of a new digital platform. It is a statement about the kind of country we are building. It is about making South Africa more open to opportunity, more welcoming to legitimate travellers, more secure for our citizens and more competitive in the global economy.”
The President noted that first impressions matter profoundly in today’s interconnected world.
“Every nation is known by the way it welcomes the world. The first impression that a visitor forms of a country is often not at a hotel, a conference centre or a game reserve. It begins at the border. It begins with whether that country projects confidence, efficiency, security and hospitality.”
He stressed that countries now compete not only through economic strength but through the ease with which people can visit, invest, trade, study and do business.
“In today’s world, countries compete not only through the strength of their economies or the quality of their infrastructure. They compete through the ease with which people can visit, invest, trade, study and do business.”
Honouring OR Tambo’s legacy
The President chose OR Tambo International Airport as the launch venue to honour the legacy of the anti-apartheid struggle icon.
“It is fitting that we launch this initiative at an airport that bears the name of Oliver Reginald Tambo. For many years, OR Tambo travelled the world to rally support for the struggle against apartheid. He carried South Africa’s hopes across continents. He took South Africa to the world. Today, through this new system, we are strengthening the way in which the world comes to South Africa.”
“His statue stands in this airport welcoming visitors from every corner of the globe. Today we honour that legacy by ensuring that South Africa’s welcome is not only warm, but also modern, efficient and secure.”
Visa reform is economic reform
President Ramaphosa made a direct link between immigration reform and job creation, referencing the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics South Africa.
“Yesterday Statistics South Africa released the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey. The figures remind us that unemployment, especially among young people, remains the greatest challenge facing our nation. Every reform we undertake must ultimately answer one question: will it help create work and expand opportunity for South Africans?”
He answered that question unequivocally.
“The Electronic Travel Authorisation answers that question with a resounding ‘Yes’. More visitors mean more hotel bookings. More restaurants filled. More tour operators employed. More flights. More conferences. More exports. More investment. More opportunities for South Africans to earn an income and build a better future.”
The President reiterated that visa reform is not merely an administrative change but a fundamental economic intervention.
“Visa reform is therefore not simply an immigration reform. It is an economic reform. It is a jobs reform.”
Part of Operation Vulindlela reforms
The ETA forms part of the broader structural reform programme under Operation Vulindlela, established in 2020 to address accumulated constraints affecting electricity, logistics, telecommunications, water infrastructure and the ease of doing business.
“Our response has therefore been comprehensive. We have reformed our electricity market and unlocked unprecedented private investment in generation. We have modernised the telecommunications sector. We are reforming our freight rail and ports system. We are strengthening water infrastructure. And now we are fundamentally modernising the way people enter South Africa.”
“These are not isolated reforms. Together they are removing barriers to growth, investment and job creation. They are making South Africa a more competitive economy.”
‘A smarter immigration system’
Addressing concerns about border security and illegal immigration, the President insisted that modernisation does not mean weaker controls.
“A modern immigration system is not a weaker immigration system. It is a smarter immigration system. Technology allows us to know more about travellers before they arrive rather than after they enter. It enables stronger biometric verification. It strengthens identity management. It improves risk assessment. It enhances border security. It helps us identify those who seek to abuse our immigration system while making lawful travel faster and easier.”
“The Electronic Travel Authorisation therefore strengthens both economic openness and national security.”
Expanding access and digital transformation
The ETA was initially introduced in four strategic source markets – China, India, Indonesia and Mexico – to support South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Presidency.
The system is now being expanded to additional countries, with plans to extend digital processing beyond visitor authorisations to include work visas, study visas and other immigration services over time.
“Through this system, eligible travellers will be able to apply online from anywhere in the world without needing to visit a South African mission or visa processing centre. Applications will be processed more quickly. Decisions will be more predictable. The experience of travelling to South Africa will be significantly improved.”
A milestone in building a capable state
The President commended the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority, the South African Revenue Service, the Department of Tourism, South African Tourism, the aviation industry, diplomatic missions, technology partners and the private sector for their collaboration.
“Today’s launch is therefore about much more than technology. It is evidence that South Africa is capable of reform. Too often there is a perception that governments cannot change. Today’s achievement demonstrates the opposite.”
“It shows that when Government sets clear goals, embraces innovation, strengthens accountability and works in partnership with business and society, meaningful change is possible. That should give confidence to every South African that our programme of reform is delivering real and measurable progress.”
President Ramaphosa officially launched the ETA alongside Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber. The programme included a live demonstration of the system and a guided tour led by Border Management Authority Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato.
“Let the launch of the Electronic Travel Authorisation be remembered not simply as the introduction of a new digital system, but as another important milestone in South Africa’s journey towards becoming a modern, capable and competitive state.”
