Many countries have been launching eVisa systems to open their country to more tourists. It is also a fast way to get a visa to a country since it is available online. One of the newest countries to use this system is South Africa.

eVisa in South Africa

The announcement that South Africa will be using the eVisa system happened on Monday. During his trip to the Department of Home Affairs, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the system will be launched this coming November.

The eVisa system will be available for South Africans who wish to travel abroad and those who wish to visit South Africa. It is available online and the biometrics can also be done at home. It can be done within 20 minutes if the applicant has all the documents ready for their visa application. If not, they can save the application and continue with their application later.

Ramaphosa said the system will make it easier for tourists to visit the country, as well as contribute to the country’s economic growth.

In the visit, the DHA demonstrated how the system will work. Ramaphosa said he is excited for the system to start and appealed to the DHA staff not to use the system for corruption. He also requests all DHA staff to treat people who apply for the visa with dignity.

South Africa’s DHA was once called “the department of horror affairs” because of corruption reports and other horror stories about its terror staff. However, there have been changes since Ramaphosa came into office.

The eVisa system for South Africa was first discussed during the president’s State of the Nation Address in February 2019. During the launch of the system this November, the DHA will check if the system can be active in many places without issues. It will also be done in parts to see how other countries request for it. Kenya will be the first country to test the system.

The DHA also said they are working with Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) for the e-gates. There is no available date yet for the e-gates, but it will be available in phases to see how the system can be active in all the country’s airports.

South Africa Travel Tips

Hoping to travel to South Africa? You can check out South Africa’s Official Tourism Site for ideas on what you can do around the country. We also have a short guide online about where you can stay in Cape Town.

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South Africa is one of the most popular destinations in Africa. It is teaming with wildlife and destinations that you will not find anywhere else. Exotic food and drinks are also a plenty when you visit, some are even surprising to find out. Tourists would also fall in love with South Africa’s prices and tourist infrastructure. However, not everyone can visit due to the existing visa policy.

On Wednesday, South Africa announced that citizens from 7 countries will be able to visit the country without a visa. These seven countries are as follows: United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Qatar, Cuba, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and Sao Tome and Principe.

The Newest Tourism Move

In the statement released, Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi said that tourism will flourish if the country relaxes its visa requirements. He adds that tourism will be able to open new jobs for the people.

With the inclusion of the 7 nations in its visa-free roster, the minister said he will be working with these countries. He hopes to see how a visa-free agreement could be reached. Qatar and Ghana already have visa-free agreements with South Africa. Currently, South African nationals can visit 99 countries visa-free according to the 2019 Henley Passport Index.

His office will also be working on improving visa processing rates for China, India and Nigeria. He said that they will double the staff to meet the demand.

The country also announced that they will be launching its new eVisa system in November. According to Home Affairs deputy minister Njabulo Nzuza, it will make it easier for tourists to enter the country.

With the new system, visitors can apply for South African visa online. The applications will be forwarded to a central adjudication and approval office. All the visitor has to do is wait for the approval at home.

It is also the hope of the country that the eVisa system will make the country an ideal place to visit. It is also expected to help increase tourism in the country.

How to Go to South Africa?

Europeans who wish to travel to South Africa can take direct flights to South Africa’s international airports. Asian tourists can fly to South Africa from connecting flights from Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Hong Kong and Doha. North and South American travelers will have to take connecting flights from Europe to reach the country.

If you plan to visit South Africa, South Africa’s Official Tourism Site is a great place to get ideas.

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