South Africa Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Launches: China Among Pilot Countries, Student Visa Integration Planned for Early 2027

2026-10-04 · Guides

In August 2026, the South African Department of Home Affairs officially launched the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), with China as one of the first pilot countries, offering visa approval within 24 hours. Currently, the ETA only processes short-term visas; according to the Minister, student visa integration is "planned for early 2027." This article summarizes the confirmed facts and explains how to prepare for studying in South Africa right now.

South Africa's visa applications are moving online. On August 12, 2026, the South African Department of Home Affairs released a speech by Minister Leon Schreiber at the official launch of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). China is one of the first pilot countries for the ETA. According to official statements, applicants can receive their ETA within 24 hours of approval.

Let's clarify one thing first: the ETA currently only processes short-term visas; student visas are not yet available through this system. Student visas are planned to be integrated in early 2027, but this is a plan mentioned in the Minister's speech, not an effective regulation yet. Below is a summary of the known information based on the official transcript.

What Is the ETA

The ETA is an online visa application platform launched by the South African Department of Home Affairs, with the website eta.dha.gov.za. The process introduced by the Minister in the launch speech is roughly as follows:

Register a personal account on eta.dha.gov.za;
Scan your passport and upload a selfie;
Make the payment;
Receive the ETA within 24 hours after the application is approved.

The speech also mentioned feedback from an early user who received a one-year multiple-entry visa just 8 minutes after applying. This is an isolated case and does not mean everyone will be processed this quickly. The official promised timeframe is "within 24 hours of approval".

Regarding fees, the speech only mentioned the "payment" step without specifying the amount. The exact fees are subject to the display on the eta.dha.gov.za page.

Timeline and Figures

Time	Event
Pilot Phase	Travelers from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico participate in the pilot
August 12, 2026	The Department of Home Affairs releases the Minister's speech at the official launch of the ETA
October 1, 2026	The Minister's speech states that the ETA is open for short-term visa applications from 53 countries, with more being added weekly
Early 2027 (Planned)	The Minister states that student visas, work visas, and other categories will be added to the ETA

A few official figures:

From the start of the small-scale pilot to the launch speech in August, the ETA has processed 216,204 applications;
Of these, 6,126 were identified as fraudulent applications and rejected;
The speech on October 1 stated that the visa process, which previously took weeks, has now been reduced to 24 hours.

The speech on October 1 did not list the specific names of the 53 countries. China is on the pilot list, and the Minister specifically mentioned major source markets like China and India: previously, travelers could only fill out forms at one or two physical locations, but now an approved ETA can be issued within 24 hours. Before traveling to South Africa, please check on eta.dha.gov.za whether your passport is eligible to apply and which visa categories you can apply for.

Student Visas: Planned for Early 2027 Integration, Not Yet Available via ETA

The most relevant for families navigating university applications is the student visa. The current official statement is:

The Minister's speech on October 1 stated: "In early 2027," more visa categories such as student visas and work visas will be added to the ETA.

This refers to a plan, which has not been implemented as of October 4, 2026. The launch date, application requirements, and required documents all await official announcement from the South African Department of Home Affairs. Government project timelines are also subject to adjustment, so it is recommended to keep an eye on official notifications.

How to Handle Visa Applications for Studying in South Africa Now

Student visas cannot be applied for through the ETA at this time. Regarding the current application channels, document checklists, and processing times for student visas, we have not found any citable instructions on the official pages of the South African Department of Home Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, so we will not elaborate here.

Students planning to apply to universities in South Africa in late 2026 or 2027, please follow the latest requirements from the South African Embassy and Consulates in China, consult as early as possible, and allow ample time for processing. If student visas are indeed integrated into the ETA in early 2027, the specific arrangements for the transition period will also depend on official announcements.

Additional Reminder: Electronic Declaration Required Within 24 Hours Before Entry or Exit

In addition to visas, there is a new requirement. The Chinese Embassy in South Africa issued a reminder on July 6, 2026:

From July 1, 2026, all travelers entering or exiting South Africa must complete an electronic declaration through the Traveler Management System within 24 hours before departure;
The declaration mainly covers personal identification documents, travel itinerary, and items carried;
Declarations can be made on the South African Revenue Service (SARS) website at tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/traveller or via the mobile app;
If there is a valid reason for failing to declare in advance, travelers can seek assistance from staff at the port of entry.

This declaration is separate from the visa. It must be completed by all travelers entering or exiting, regardless of the visa type. The embassy reminds Chinese citizens to declare as required to avoid any impact on their entry or exit.

Advice for Families Planning to Go to South Africa

Short-term travel (visiting relatives, attending events, school visits): First, go to eta.dha.gov.za to confirm if a Chinese passport is eligible to apply and what the fees are before submitting the application.
Long-term study: Currently, you still need to follow the existing process for student visas, following the latest requirements from the South African Embassy and Consulates in China. Do not wait for the ETA.
Watch for updates in early 2027: Once student visas are integrated into the ETA, the application process may change. Keep an eye on official announcements from the South African Department of Home Affairs.
The day before departure: Remember to complete the SARS traveler electronic declaration.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute visa or legal advice. All policies are subject to the latest official announcements from South Africa.

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