South Africa launches global campaign to attract Chinese, Indian tourists with digital visas

SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa has launched a global campaign to promote its digitized visa system and attract more visitors from China and India, following a successful pilot during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last November.

Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille announced the initiative on the sidelines of Meetings Africa 2026, emphasizing that “we shouldn’t assume that people know about the digitized visa system, especially the main source markets like India and China.”

Visa Breakthrough Unlocks Key Markets

The electronic travel authorization system processed travelers from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico seamlessly during the G20 summit, marking a breakthrough in addressing long-standing visa bottlenecks.

De Lille has instructed South African tourism offices in Beijing and Shanghai to appoint local destination marketing companies to position South Africa as a destination of choice and inform potential visitors about the streamlined entry process.

The Trusted Tour Operators Scheme, launched in early 2026, allows accredited operators to submit online visa applications on behalf of clients from India and China, with processing typically taking three to five working days.

Since February 2026, nationals from China and India holding ordinary passports can apply for an ETA or eVisa online when entering through OR Tambo, Cape Town International, or Lanseria airports.

Economic Impact and Ambitious Targets

De Lille highlighted tourism’s economic significance, noting that every 13 international arrivals create one permanent job and three indirect positions.

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, emphasized that China and India will be critical to achieving the country’s target of 15.6 million international tourist arrivals annually by 2030, with the industry aiming to attract 500,000 visitors annually from each country.

China-Ready Strategy Takes Shape

South Africa is developing a comprehensive “China-ready” strategy that includes adapting to Chinese digital platforms, integrating payment systems, and accounting for cultural preferences.

Mandarin language training programs and culinary training for chefs are underway to better meet the needs of Chinese visitors.

Air Connectivity Becomes Top Priority

Improved air access leads the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan’s list of key interventions.

South Africa is discussing with Chinese airlines to increase flight frequencies, and South African Airways will relaunch the Hong Kong route, strengthening connectivity into the Chinese mainland.

Currently, no direct flights operate between South Africa and mainland China, with common layover cities including Singapore, Johannesburg, and Doha.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.