South Africa's Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a second round of applications for a reliable tour operator scheme (TTO) in accordance with strong demand from the tourism sector. The expansion, which was gazetted by Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber on April 4, 2025, comes after successful digital visa processing for tourists from China and India began on February 12. The scheme allows approved operators to quickly track visa applications through a fully digital system, part of a broader effort to improve access to visitors and support economic growth.
Tour operators make 30 days of application via online portals and screen applications using AI tools and inter-departmental assessments. Since its launch, TTOS has been promoting entry to over 2,000 additional tourists from major Asian markets, and the amount of daily application has continued to increase. The expansion of this scheme is part of the ongoing efforts of the Home Affairs to modernize the South African visa system and strengthen the role of tourism in job creation and economic development.
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Source: gov.za
