South Africa proposes ZAR500 ETA fee for Nigerians; public comment until Aug 11

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has proposed a ZAR 500 (about $30) processing fee for travelers applying for its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The fee, open for public comment until August 11, 2026, would take effect on August 17, 2026. Approved ETAs allow multiple entries for tourism or business, with each stay limited to 90 days and a one-time extension of another 90 days. The permit is linked to a QR code stored on a phone or printed for use at automated gates in OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, and Lanseria airports. South Africa does not issue visas on arrival, so advance approval is mandatory for eligible visitors.

The move comes as Pretoria tightens immigration amid rising xenophobic tensions. President Cyril Ramaphosa linked anti-immigrant sentiment to illegal immigration in May 2026, and in July Nigeria formally rebuked South Africa over a three-decade pattern of attacks on Nigerians and other Africans. For Nigerians who frequently travel to South Africa for business, tourism or family visits, the new fee adds a fixed cost to every trip and underscores the tighter entry regime.

Will you budget the extra ZAR 500 for each South Africa trip, look for destinations with lower entry costs, or consider applying for a longer-term visa instead?

SOURCE: https://nairametrics.com/2026/08/01/south-africa-plans-new-30-travel-permit-fee-for-visitors/