South Africa’s fast-track visa scheme draws over 25,000 tourists in six months

South Africa’s Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has attracted a total of 25,024 tourists in the last six months, the Department of Home Affairs said on Friday.

Launched last year to streamline visa applications and boost arrivals from India and China, the scheme began its first phase in February with 65 selected tour operators from South Africa, India, and China.

In a statement released on Friday, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber announced the launch of the scheme’s second phase, which adds another 45 vetted tour operators to the list.

“The TTOS demonstrates the power of our digital transformation agenda to enable economic growth and create jobs. The fact that we have attracted over 25,000 tourists in just six months confirms the enormous potential of growing this digital-first approach,” said the minister.

Previously, tourists from markets such as India and China had to submit paper-based visa applications in person and wait up to two weeks for a decision. Under the TTOS, applications are filed online and processed within 24 hours, Schreiber said.

Government research shows that every 13 tourists generate one new formal job. Schreiber said the scheme’s first phase has already created 1,924 jobs.