South Africa Set to Unite with the UK, Canada, South Korea, Russia, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand as ETA Requirements Expand and the Age of Visa-Free Travel Comes to an End

Written By: Rana Pratap

Rana Pratap

My formal education culminated with a Master's in English from Dibrugarh University in 2015, but my real-world learning began simultaneously. Over ten years ago, while still a student, I joined Travel and Tour World as an intern, eager to nurture my love for travel in a professional setting. It has been a privilege to grow with this company, maturing from that initial role into a leadership position. As a Senior Writer and Team Leader today, I comfortably blend my passion for travelling with years of industry experience along with mentoring a creative team.

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June 20, 2025 01:37 GMT+5:30

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South Africa is officially joining the UK, Canada, South Korea, Russia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand in adopting mandatory Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs), marking the end of visa-free travel as digital pre-screening becomes the global standard for border entry. The new requirement, set to take effect in September 2025, will apply to all travelers from visa-exempt countries—including Americans—who must now obtain approval before boarding a flight, signaling a sweeping shift away from spontaneous, passport-only international travel.

It’s a global shift that travelers can’t afford to ignore. As governments push for stronger border control and faster immigration clearance, digital entry systems are replacing the freedom once associated with visa-free travel. And now, South Africa is officially on board.

United Kingdom: The Two-Year Digital Pass

The UK has already taken the lead among Western nations in rolling out ETA policies. Beginning in 2024, travelers from select countries began receiving approvals through the UK’s new digital system. By early 2025, this will be mandatory for all non-visa nationals, including Americans.

Once issued, the British ETA will remain valid for up to two years or until the traveler’s passport expires—whichever comes first. Visitors are allowed to stay for up to six months at a time, with multiple entries permitted during that validity window. The fee currently sits at sixteen British pounds, which is about twenty U.S. dollars, and must be paid at the time of application.

Canada: Long-Term Digital Clearance for Air Travelers

Canada has used an eTA system since 2016, though U.S. citizens are currently exempt. For other travelers flying in from visa-exempt countries, the Canadian eTA is a must-have. The process is straightforward, and approvals typically arrive via email within minutes.

Once granted, Canada’s eTA is valid for five years or until the traveler’s passport expires. It allows for multiple visits and costs just seven Canadian dollars, which is roughly five U.S. dollars. While it’s inexpensive and simple, it still marks the end of automatic entry for millions of travelers who once breezed through Canadian borders.

South Korea: Early Adopter of the Digital Shift

South Korea was one of the earlier countries to implement a mandatory ETA system. Launched in 2021, the K-ETA applies to citizens from dozens of visa-waiver countries, including the United States.

Travelers must submit their personal information and travel plans online, and the fee is around ten thousand Korean won, which equates to seven to eight U.S. dollars. The K-ETA remains valid for two years and allows short stays, typically capped at ninety days. The system has streamlined immigration and reduced paperwork, becoming a model for other Asian countries now exploring similar programs.

Russia: New Rules, Higher Costs

Russia is preparing to enforce its version of an ETA beginning in June 2025. Unlike other systems, Russia’s digital visa will not be free or multi-use by default. Travelers will need to apply for each trip, and the cost is expected to be around forty U.S. dollars—one of the highest among all ETA-issuing nations.

The Russian e-visa will be valid for up to sixty days from approval but allows only a single entry. Despite the higher fee and limited usage, it marks a major shift in how Russia handles short-term travel and signals its intent to digitize border control fully.

Thailand: A Free Start to a New Era

Thailand is taking a softer approach with its new ETA. Although full implementation is expected by mid-2025, the rollout has already begun through pilot programs. Unlike other countries, Thailand is currently offering the ETA free of charge.

The entry is single-use, and travelers will need to apply again for each trip. However, this system allows the Thai government to screen travelers before arrival while still encouraging tourism through a no-fee model—at least for now. As the program expands, a future fee may be introduced.

Australia: A Pioneer with a Mobile-First System

Australia has used its ETA system for decades, offering a fast and easy way for travelers from select countries to enter without a traditional visa. The Australian ETA, also known as subclass 601, can be applied for through a mobile app. It costs twenty Australian dollars, about thirteen U.S. dollars, and is typically processed within a day.

Once approved, the ETA is valid for twelve months and allows multiple short-term visits, each up to ninety days. Australia’s approach has become one of the most trusted and widely copied systems in the world, and it remains a favorite among travelers familiar with digital travel permits.

New Zealand: The Most Expensive ETA System So Far

New Zealand introduced its NZeTA in 2019 and added a second cost layer through the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Together, the total cost of entry authorization can exceed seventy U.S. dollars, making it one of the most expensive systems to date.

Travelers applying via mobile app pay seventeen New Zealand dollars for the ETA, while online applicants pay twenty-three. In both cases, a separate one-time levy of one hundred New Zealand dollars is added. Despite the cost, the NZeTA is valid for two years and allows multiple entries for stays up to ninety days.

What South Africa’s ETA Really Means for Travelers

For American passport holders and other visa-free tourists, South Africa’s ETA requirement represents more than a procedural change—it’s part of a larger global trend that is erasing the convenience of passport-only travel. Even if the ETA costs just a few dollars and takes ten minutes to complete, the shift marks a new era in how countries manage their borders.

South Africa’s upcoming ETA will likely mirror features from its global counterparts. Travelers can expect a short digital application process, approval by email, and a scannable QR code linked to their passport. Fees are expected to be moderate, possibly under twenty U.S. dollars, and the system may offer multi-entry or longer-term options. However, no final details have been published yet.

South Africa is set to join the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, Russia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand in requiring Electronic Travel Authorizations, as nations worldwide replace visa-free entry with mandatory digital pre-approval to tighten border control and streamline immigration.

For now, travelers should prepare. The age of walking into another country with nothing but a passport is ending. Digital permissions, pre-approvals, and smart border control are here to stay. South Africa’s move isn’t an outlier—it’s a confirmation that visa-free doesn’t mean hassle-free anymore.

With the UK, Canada, South Korea, Russia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand already locked into ETA systems, South Africa’s entry into the club only strengthens the reality: if you want to travel tomorrow, you’ll need to apply today.