The Department of Home Affairs has officially launched the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) yesterday, marking a major shift in South Africa’s visa process for travellers from India and China.
The initiative aims to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and expedite visa approvals, fostering tourism growth and job creation.
Previously, South Africa had only two visa processing missions in each of these two key markets, serving a combined population of 2.8 billion people. The new digital-first TTOS system now enables tourists using approved tour operators to secure visas within three days, without the need to visit a mission or stand in queues.
Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber emphasised the government’s commitment to digital transformation, stating:
“The fact that Home Affairs took TTOS from concept to implementation in less than six months demonstrates our commitment to enabling economic growth and job creation.”
Research indicates that for every 12 new tourists, one new job is created in South Africa. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille highlighted the potential of India and China as crucial source markets, stressing that an efficient visa process is essential for exponential growth in arrivals.
Currently, Indian tourists make up 3.9% of South Africa’s international arrivals, while Chinese tourists account for only 1.8%. Despite 100 million outbound trips from China in 2023, South Africa attracted just 93,000 visitors, compared to 1.4 million who visited Australia.
Schreiber underscored the government’s long-term goal of complete digital transformation in visa applications, adjudication, and communication to eliminate delays entirely. Meanwhile, TTOS will serve as a catalyst for increased tourist arrivals and job creation.
De Lille affirmed that the TTOS, digital nomad visa, and electronic travel authorization will be key tools in South Africa’s strategy to boost tourism.
With close to nine million arrivals in 2024, reflecting a 5.1% increase from 2023, South Africa’s tourism sector is steadily recovering. De Lille expressed optimism about the positive impact of visa enhancements, stating: “We are excited about these improvements and look forward to increased arrivals from China and India in the coming months.”
