Home affairs will shut down manual visa processing at missions abroad, routing all applications through its electronic platform.

TechCentral

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs is transitioning all visa processing to its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, eliminating manual paper-based processing at missions abroad. The move, announced by minister Leon Schreiber, aims to cover tourist visas first, then study visas, and eventually all visa categories by 2029. The ETA uses machine learning for document verification and biometric facial matching. The shift follows an SIU investigation uncovering widespread visa fraud by a small number of officials exploiting the manual system, resulting in 20 dismissals and cancellation of over 2,000 fraudulently issued study visas. The department also plans to expand facial recognition to all international airports and build a broader digital ID system backed by an 'intelligent population register'.

Home affairs to move all visa processing online

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