South Africa ETA rollout faces technical and operational hurdles

South Africa’s rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system is facing technical and operational challenges. Travelers from mainland China have reported issues with the SMS verification process, where one-time passwords (OTP) required for account activation are not being received across multiple mobile networks. This has reportedly led to intermediaries charging fees to provide verification via South African mobile numbers.

Travel industry professionals have also noted difficulties regarding processing times and communication. Some travel advisers report that applications are not consistently meeting the promised 24-48 hour window, particularly for Indian travelers, and that customer support lacks visibility once an application is submitted. While some users have reported smooth experiences with rapid approvals, others face uncertainty that complicates flight and hotel bookings.