South African national flags flying at the Waterfront with Table Mountain in the background. / Image: Getty
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South Africa is rolling out two new visas designed to attract more international productions and global events to its shores.
As reported by Business Tech, the Department of Home Affairs is introducing the STAGES and MEETS visas to streamline the entry process for international creatives and event attendees.
Unveiled during the Home Affairs budget vote debate in Parliament, Minister Leon Schreiber described the move as a bold shift to position South Africa as a top destination for film, tourism, sport and events—all sectors with major job creation potential.
The STAGES visa, short for Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme, is tailored for the film and television industry. It promises to simplify visa access for international production companies and freelancers by moving the application process fully online.
Schreiber noted that outdated, paper-based systems have cost the country dearly—including the loss of a R400 million Netflix production. With STAGES, companies will no longer need to visit missions abroad, and decisions will be made within hours via a dedicated portal.
The MEETS visa, meanwhile, targets the global events industry. Short for Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme, it aims to eliminate red tape for international attendees of major conferences, sporting fixtures, and exhibitions.
Schreiber said MEETS will support flagship events like the SA20 cricket tournament and World Rugby Sevens, allowing athletes and attendees to arrive without delay and unlocking greater economic potential.
The City of Cape Town has welcomed the move. With the Mother City fast becoming a global hub for meetings and conferences, several upcoming events are expected to generate R745 million in economic impact and attract over 27,000 delegates by 2028.
The two new visa categories form part of a wider digital revamp of South Africa’s immigration systems.
A new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will go live for tourist visas by the end of September 2025, automating the process at OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports ahead of the G20 Summit in November.
The ETA system will use machine learning to detect fraud and deliver outcomes within seconds. Over time, it will expand to more visa categories and border points.
Home Affairs has also wrapped up its second intake of verified tour operators under the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). Since February, over 17 000 tourists from China and India have visited South Africa through this fast-track process. The number of approved operators has now grown from 65 to 110.
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