South Africa has expanded its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system to include Indian travellers, joining 53 other eligible countries. The new system allows online visa applications for minors aged seven and older, and it is being rolled out in phases.

The existing eVisa system will be decommissioned by December 1, 2026, with the transition to ETA monitored for stability and scalability. The expansion includes all previous eVisa markets and aims to simplify visa processes for families and groups.

South Africa's ETA rollout is part of efforts to improve accessibility for international visitors and support tourism ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.

The new system will replace the eVisa process entirely by December 2026, with additional countries added in August and September 2026. The ETA system supports biometric capture for children aged seven and older and allows online visa applications without visiting a visa processing centre.