Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says South Africa’s new ETA system uses biometric technology and automated risk analysis to detect fraudulent travel applications before travellers arrive.
South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has rejected 6,126 fraudulent applications after processing more than 216,000 applications, as Home Affairs rolls out a biometric immigration system designed to detect fraud before travellers reach the country.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the system, officially launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, marked a major step towards modernising South Africa’s visa and immigration system.
“Today’s launch of the ETA represents a quantum leap forward for our country’s immigration system,” Schreiber said.
The ETA was initially piloted during South Africa’s G20 presidency for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. Since then, it has processed 216,204 applications.
