Since its launch in late February 2025, South Africa’s Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has successfully issued more than 11,000 digital visas to tourists from China and India.
Picture: iStock / WIreStock
As reported by African Travel & Tourism Association, the impressive growth has received a warm welcome.
This initiative was introduced by the Department of Home Affairs and enables designated tour operators to fast-track visa applications for group travellers through a secure digital platform.
The number of daily applications has shown consistent growth, increasing from 50 in March to 210 in the month of May. This highlights the rising demand from key source markets that were previously affected by lengthy visa procedures.
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Currently including 65 tour operators, the scheme signifies a transition towards more efficient and scalable tourism entry systems.
Moreover, data from Operation Vulindlela indicates that the initiative has created approximately 857 new jobs by enabling increased tourist arrivals.
Plans are in place to expand the TTOS with a second intake of operators, as well as to introduce a fully digital Electronic Travel Authorization system which will simplify all short-stay travel to South Africa.
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