South Africa is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for Indian travellers, celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife encounters, and exhilarating adventure activities. To up the tourist count further, the country has taken significant steps to streamline visa procedures, demonstrating a commitment to fostering tourism and enhancing bilateral relations.
In a recent State of the Nation Address at the Cape Town City Hall, President Ramaphosa declared that South Africa is poised for a surge in tourism and business from India and China, thanks to the modern digitalisation of its visa process. "As part of our reform agenda, we will continue to enhance our visa system to make it easier for skilled people to invest in our country and grow tourism in South Africa," President Ramaphosa said in the address.
President Ramaphosa further announced that South Africa will introduce the Electronic Travel Authorisation system this year. This system will provide a secure, fully digital visa application process. By utilising artificial intelligence and automation, this new move aims to reduce corruption and enable faster processing times for tourist visas.
Over 90 percent of the backlog of more than 3,00,000 visa applications has been cleared, Ramaphosa stated. The President further emphasised that these changes would send a strong message that South Africa is open for business and tourism.
South Africa has also introduced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), aimed at enhancing the travel experience for tourists from India and China. Starting from 12 February 2025, registered tour operators can work directly with South Africa's Department of Home Affairs to submit group visa applications for their clients, eliminating the need for the lengthy individual application process. This streamlined visa application process makes it faster and easier for visitors from these non-visa-exempt countries to explore South Africa.
