CAPE TOWN, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Department of Home Affairs on Thursday announced the launch of a new digital visa system designed to streamline applications and strengthen national security.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber unveiled the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa's Leadership Conference, the department said in a statement.
The new system uses "cutting-edge machine learning technology to digitalize and automate visa processes, replacing outdated paper-based systems with a secure, efficient, and traveler-friendly digital platform," it said.
According to the department, the ETA system will enable visa applicants to apply online, submit biometrics, and receive approvals "in real time," thereby eliminating lengthy processing times and "cumbersome" paperwork.
A user acceptance test will commence at the end of September, with the first phase opening in mid-October, prioritizing delegates from four Group of 20 (G20) member states -- China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico -- arriving at OR Tambo and Cape Town international airports.
"The second phase will commence following the conclusion of the G20 leaders meeting in late November, which will open applications to all tourists from the same four countries," it said. "Once the system is stable, the ETA will be expanded to become the single entry-point for tourist visas from all countries that require visas to visit South Africa."
The ETA will eventually cover other visa categories and all ports of entry, the statement said.
"The ETA is set to eliminate visa barriers that have suppressed South Africa's tourism potential for many years, while simultaneously revolutionizing the security of our immigration processes," Schreiber said in the statement.
