‘A quantum leap forward’: New ETA system flags thousands of fraudulent visa applications
The digital system uses biometric checks and automated risk analysis to scrutinise travellers before they enter South Africa.
South Africa's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has flagged and rejected over 6,126 fraudulent visa applications, according to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. The system allows eligible travelers from visa-required countries to visit South Africa for tourism or visiting purposes without a traditional visitor's visa.
The Minister made this announcement during the official launch of the digital platform at OR Tambo International Airport on August 12. The system initially piloted during South Africa's G20 presidency in 2025 for travelers from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, and has since processed 216,204 applications.
To use the system, travelers register a profile on the eta.dha.gov.za website, verify their cellphone number and email address, scan their passport, and upload a selfie. Biometric technology confirms the traveler's identity and an algorithm scans the passport, checking over 40 parameters for authenticity. Once payment is made, the ETA uses automated risk analysis to detect fraud or risk indicators at an unprecedented speed.
Approved travelers receive their ETA within 24 hours, which they can store in their digital wallet on their smartphone. At the immigration counter, travelers undergo biometric verification to ensure they match the authorized authorizer. The system also detects overstayers in real-time by verifying travelers' faces upon departure.
If someone cannot be verified, they receive a warning from Home Affairs and may face immigration enforcement actions if the warning is ignored.
The Minister emphasized that the ETA is a "quantum leap forward" for South Africa's immigration system, unlocking economic growth through tourism, investment, and legitimate travel while combating visa fraud and illegal immigration. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote speech at the launch, lauding the system as a significant step towards making South Africa more competitive in the global economy.
He stated that the ETA is not just a digital platform, but a declaration of the kind of country South Africa aims to be - open to opportunity, welcoming to legitimate travelers, secure for citizens, and competitive in the global economy. Ramaphosa believes that visa reform is not just an immigration reform, but an economic and job reform as well.
He stated that every reform should ultimately answer whether it will help create work and expand opportunity for South Africans, and the ETA answers this question with a resounding yes.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
