Systems and standards
E-visa and ETA platforms in Africa
Short answer
- New e-visa countries in 2025
- Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Namibia and Somalia 2
- Kenya eTA fee
- From US$30, plus US$100 for expedited processing 5
- South Africa ETA launch
- 12 August 2026 at OR Tambo International Airport 10
E-visa and ETA, in plain terms
An e-visa is a visa applied for and issued online before travel. An electronic travel authorisation, or ETA, is a permission to travel that the traveller asks for online, often from people who do not need a visa 3.
The Africa Visa Openness Index says ETAs operate in a similar way to e-visas. It says cost, single-entry validity, a confirmed itinerary, proof of accommodation and biometrics can make an ETA no less onerous than an e-visa 3.
ETA systems named by the index
| Country | Status in the 2025 index | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Seychelles 3 | Live 3 | First fully-fledged ETA in Africa, later extended to maritime arrivals 3 |
| Kenya 3 | Live 3 | Now exempts citizens of all African countries except Libya and Somalia 3 |
| Mozambique 3 | Suspended 3 | Portal for travellers from 29 visa-exempt countries, suspended for technical reasons 3 |
| Morocco 3 | Temporary 3 | For September 2025 to January 2026, linked to the Africa Cup of Nations 3 |
| South Africa 3 | Pilot since October 2025 3 | Covers nationals who normally need a visa 3 |
| Zambia 3 | Under consideration 3 | Reported as an Advanced Passenger Information System, citing security 3 |
Kenya eTA
The eTA portal is run by the Directorate of Immigration Services. It says all travellers to Kenya must submit information before departure, and travellers who do not may be denied boarding or charged a penalty on arrival 4.
The FAQ gives a fee from US$30 for normal processing and an extra US$100 for expedited processing 5. Processing usually takes three working days, and the portal advises applying at least 2 weeks before travel 6.
The portal's general information page lists citizens of Burundi, the DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda as exempt for up to 180 days 6. The 2025 index gives a wider exemption for all African countries except Libya and Somalia 3. Travellers should check the portal on the day.
Nigeria e-visa
The Nigeria Immigration Service said its e-visa and an automated landing and exit card took effect on 1 May 2025. Visa on arrival ended that day. Approvals are expected within 48 hours, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria and BusinessDay 7,8.
Applications go through evisa.immigration.gov.ng 7. The NIS statement says e-visas cannot be extended and set overstay fines of US$15 a day from 1 September 2025 8.
South Africa ETA
The Department of Home Affairs said President Ramaphosa would launch the ETA on 12 August 2026 at OR Tambo International Airport. It said the system combines advanced biometric verification, machine learning and the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System, eMCS 2.0 10.
Engineering News reported that the ETA had processed 216,204 applications and rejected 6,126 fraudulent ones. It is first available at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka and Lanseria airports, and approved travellers receive it within 24 hours 9.
Findings on portal quality
The index authors said they found offline and malfunctioning e-visa portals, portals with unencrypted connections and coding weaknesses. They said scam sites that imitate official portals create a fraud risk, and some e-visas allow entry only through main airports 2.
Common questions
How many African countries have an e-visa?
The Africa Visa Openness Index counts 31 African countries offering an e-visa to Africans in 2025 1.
How much is the Kenya eTA?
The official FAQ says normal processing starts at US$30, with US$100 extra for expedited processing 5.
Does Nigeria still issue visas on arrival?
No. The NIS said visa on arrival ended on 1 May 2025 when the e-visa took effect 7.
Is the South Africa ETA mandatory?
Engineering News reported it will become compulsory for short visits from countries that need a port-of-entry visa, added country by country 9.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- Africa Visa Openness Index: Reporting on Africa Visa Openness (2025 report, published 2026)
- Africa Visa Openness Index: Update on e-Visas (2025 report, published 2026)
- Africa Visa Openness Index: Electronic Travel Authorisations: a visa by another name? (2025 report, published 2026)
- Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya: Your visit to Kenya begins here, Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (undated)
- Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya: Frequently Asked Questions, Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (undated)
- Directorate of Immigration Services, Kenya: General Information, Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (undated)
- News Agency of Nigeria, Ibironke Ariyo: Nigeria introduces e-Visa, digital entry system (2 May 2025)
- BusinessDay, Ojochenemi Onje: Nigeria rolls out e-visa system, phases out visa on arrival (3 May 2025)
- Engineering News, Schalk Burger: DHA launches Electronic Travel Authorisation platform to boost tourism, curb corruption (13 August 2026)
- Department of Home Affairs: President Ramaphosa to officially launch South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation (6 August 2026)
Related
- What is border management technology?
Plain definitions of the systems African states use at borders: ePassports and the ICAO PKD, MIDAS, API and PNR, e-visas, ETAs and e-gates.
- Kenya border technology
How Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorisation started in January 2024, the US$30 fee, who is exempt and what changed in 2025, with sources.
- Nigeria border technology
Nigeria's ICAO PKD membership, IOM MIDAS, e-gates, the e-visa and landing card, and NIS border system training, from public records.
- South Africa border technology
South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation, EMCS 2.0 facial verification, airport eGates, the ABIS contract and the audit findings on it.
- Morocco border technology
Morocco's eVisa on acces-maroc.ma since July 2022 and the automatic passport gates at Mohammed V airport since March 2025, with sources.