South Africa to Introduce 90-day Visa Waiver for Indian Tour Groups from January 2025
South Africa will launch a new visa initiative in January 2025. According to this, a 90-day visa waiver for Indian tourists as part of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) will be introduced. This programme aims to streamline the visa process for tourists from India and China by enabling pre-approved and registered tour operators to manage group visa applications on their behalf.
The initiative is intended to draw more visitors from these important markets, with Indian tourists currently comprising only 3.9% of South Africa’s international arrivals. The visa waiver is anticipated to significantly boost
South Africa’s tourism sector and contribute to economic development.
Research suggests that a 10% rise in tourism could enhance the country’s annual economic growth by 0.6%, while also creating thousands of new jobs. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber remarked that TTOS serves as a temporary measure while the department works towards implementing a fully automated, digital visa system for tourists worldwide.
This initiative follows the success of South Africa’s Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), which simplified visa applications for businesses seeking to attract critical skills to the country. The TTOS is regarded as a crucial step in strengthening South Africa’s position as a leading tourist destination.
