Understanding South Africa's new R500 visa fee

The Department of Home Affairs has proposed a R500 electronic processing fee for travellers using South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

The proposal is contained in a draft notice published in Government Gazette No. 55072 last month.

The ETA, introduced in October 2025, allows travellers to apply for travel authorisation and visas online as part of Home Affairs’ digital transformation programme.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the ETA had been operating as a fully subsidised service because the platform initially lacked an integrated online payment facility.

Full story at IOL

By Mthobisi Nozulela