South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has published draft regulations proposing a new R500 processing levy on top of the existing visa and ETA charges. If confirmed, the fee will apply to all eVisa and Electronic Travel Authorisation applications submitted from 17 August 2026. The public comment period closes 11 August 2026, giving travellers and operators a narrow window to respond.
What the proposal actually says
The draft amendment adds a non-refundable R500 processing fee to each online visa or ETA application. This is separate from the current visa fee, which varies by nationality and visa type. Applicants who pay the processing levy and are subsequently declined will not receive a refund of the R500.
For most tourists applying for an eVisa — typically nationals of countries that do not currently receive visa-free access — the total cost of an application will rise by R500 from the current structure. At an exchange rate of approximately R18 to $1 USD, that adds roughly $28 to the upfront cost.
Citizens of countries that already enter South Africa visa-free are not affected, as they do not submit eVisa or ETA applications.
Timeline and what happens next
The Department of Home Affairs has allowed until 11 August 2026 for written submissions from members of the public and industry bodies. Travel agents, tour operators and airlines are expected to submit responses before that deadline.
If the regulations are gazetted without substantial amendment, the R500 fee comes into effect on 17 August 2026. Applications submitted after that date will need to include the additional levy for the application to be processed.
There is no indication that processing times will improve in line with the new charge. Travellers should continue to allow adequate lead time when applying — currently a minimum of four to six weeks ahead of travel is advisable.
Practical implications for visitors
For travellers who already hold valid South African visas, nothing changes. The fee applies only at the point of a new application.
Visitors from countries such as India, China, and most Gulf states who require a visa before entry will see the largest impact on upfront costs. Those travelling on British, EU, or US passports — who currently enter without a visa for stays up to 30 days — are unaffected.
If you are travelling after 17 August and need to apply, factor the additional R500 into your budget before booking. Our South Africa travel costs guide covers typical visa and entry expenses alongside accommodation, transport, and day-to-day spend.
For a full overview of who needs what documentation to enter, see our visa requirements page.
Cape Town and other key destinations
The visa changes apply nationally — they are not specific to any port of entry or destination. Whether you are arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town International, or King Shaka in Durban, the same rules apply.
Cape Town remains the entry point for the majority of international leisure visitors, and most arrive with existing visa-free access. For those who do need a visa, Cape Town’s summer high season (December to February) sees the highest application volumes — applying well in advance is especially important if you are planning a January or February trip.
What to do if you are mid-planning
If you are in the early stages of planning a trip and expect to need an eVisa or ETA, submit your application before 17 August to avoid the additional fee — provided your travel dates allow for sufficient processing time.
If your travel is planned for late 2026 or 2027, factor the R500 levy into your budget as it is likely to be in place by then. Activities in South Africa and other major experiences will remain priced as they are — this change affects entry costs only, not in-country expenses.
We will update this article as the comment period closes and the final gazette decision is published.