South Africa’s eVisa system, launched in 2024 and now fully operational in 2025, allows eligible travelers to apply online for tourist and business visas without visiting consulates. The digital application process takes around two weeks and costs approximately R370 ($25).
The eVisa framework continues evolving under Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber’s reforms, with plans for an AI-powered system and streamlined group processing as part of efforts to boost tourism and attract skilled professionals.
Recent expansions include a new digital nomad visa for remote workers earning foreign income. Citizens from 39 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India, China, and Germany, can apply through the official eHome Affairs portal with basic documents like a valid passport, proof of funds, and accommodation details. We have detailed everything you need to know below.
See Also: How to apply for your Nigerian Passport online
Who can apply for a South African eVisa?
The South African eVisa is currently available to citizens from 39 eligible countries, including
Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Algeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, and more.
Other eligible countries: India, China, Germany, Pakistan, France, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, among others.
You can access the full eligibility list on the Department of Home Affairs site.
See Also: How to obtain the Namibian Digital Nomad Visa
What you need before applying
To avoid unnecessary delays or visa denial, ensure your travel plans align with permitted visa activities. The key requirements include:
- A valid passport with at least one blank page
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Return or onward ticket
- Yellow fever certificate, if travelling from the risk belts.
- Accommodation details
💡Applicants are expected to apply only via the official eHome Affairs portal. Avoid third-party websites that may charge extra or scam applicants.
For travellers, particularly those with minors needing extra consent, carrying a printed e-visa copy and all supporting documents is expected upon arrival in South Africa, alongside strict adherence to validity periods.
Steps to applying for a South African eVisa online
The registration is done from the eHome Affairs website using the steps below:
1. Confirm eligibility: Check if your nationality is on the approved list. Nigerians are eligible to apply.
2. Register on the eHome Affairs Portal: Create an account using a valid email and secure password.
3. Fill out the Application: Select the correct visa type (e.g., tourist, business). Enter personal and travel information.
4. Upload the required documents: Digitally upload the paperwork needed and this includes a Passport bio-data page, Passport photo, Travel itinerary or booking, Proof of funds (bank statement/salary slip), Return flight ticket and Yellow fever certificate (if required)
5. Pay the Visa Fee: The government fee is about R370 / $25, payable online with an internationally accepted credit or debit card.
6. Submit and track your eVisa: Proceed to submit your completed application. You’ll then receive a reference number to track the status online.
7. Print your Visa: Visa approvals typically arrive within 2 weeks via email. Print a copy to present at immigration.
Once your e-Visa is approved, pay close attention to the specified entry date—you must enter South Africa by this deadline or your visa will be voided. The validity period varies depending on your country and visa type, with exact dates clearly indicated on your approved visa.
Keep in mind also, that visa fees are non-refundable regardless of whether you use the visa or applied incorrectly. You can only modify your application before submission, so double-check all details beforehand. After submission, any errors require starting the entire process over with new fees.
For South African citizens
South African passport holders can use eVisa systems for short-term tourist visas to participating countries. For domestic nomadic visas, expect approval within 2 days minimum.
To apply as a South African resident, log into https://ehome.dha.gov.za/eHomeAffairsV3 using your ID number and password, then follow the standard eVisa application process.
Where the region lies in the bigger picture
South Africa recorded a 15.4% rise in tourist arrivals in early 2024, but growth slowed to 3% in the first quarter of 2025, likely due to seasonal patterns as travellers returned to work.
Even with that dip, there’s growing pressure to modernise visa systems and keep pace with regional shifts. The upcoming remote work visa, targeted at freelancers and location-independent professionals earning foreign income, is expected to follow the current eVisa platform and offer a more streamlined process.
Elsewhere on the continent, several countries are already pushing ahead. Nigeria is automating short-stay visa approvals with faster turnarounds. Ethiopia is launching a digital visa system and rolling out biometric passports to replace older, less secure formats. ECOWAS is piloting a unified ECOVISA for regional travel. And Kenya has removed Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirements for most African nations.
As African passports become more integrated with digital systems, South Africa’s next steps with eVisas and remote work permits will shape how open it stays to both tourists and remote workers in a changing region.
