- This follows successful trials of the system that will bolster national security
BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – Major Eswatini border posts shared with neighbouring South Africa will introduce facial scan biometric verification technology by March 31, 2027, following successful trials of the system.
South Africa Home affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, confirmed that all major South African ports of entry will feature facial biometric verification technology by March 31, 2027.
According to the government of South Africa, the upgrades were linked to Home Affairs’ new Electronic Traveller Authorisation (ETA) and Enhanced Movement Control System (EMCS), designed to modernise and secure the that country’s borders.
Pilot Testing A Success
Schreiber revealed the planned timeline in response to Parliamentary questions from MK MP Noma Buthelezi, where he said pilot testing at three major airports was successful.
“The rollout of the ETA and the new EMCS2.0 is currently underway after a successful piloting at OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, and Lanseria International Airport,” he said.
This solution, he said, comes with facial biometric verification. It is envisaged that the ETA and new EMCS2.0 will have rolled out to all South African major ports of entry by March 31, 2027.
Eswatini/SA Share 12 Border Gates
It is worth to note that the Kingdom of Eswatini shares 12 border gates with South Africa, with Ngwenya/ Oshoek and Lavumisa/Golela among the major ports of entry between the two countries.
Originally launched in 2010, the South African Department of Home Affairs upgraded the EMCS in late 2025, focusing on facial recognition and piloting it at the already mentioned airports.
The system enabled automated biometric checks and promised to reduce queueing times at the ports of entry.
The EMCS2.0 was announced alongside the ETA, which promised to digitise and automate visa processes and to replace paper-based systems with a secure, efficient digital platform.
Eliminate Lengthy Processing Times
“The ETA will enable visa applicants to apply online, capture biometrics, and receive approvals in real-time, eliminating lengthy processing times and cumbersome documentation,” the department said.
“It will be integrated with an upgraded EMCS that will be based on facial recognition at ports of entry, starting with OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airport.”
The department said this would ensure seamless arrivals through automated biometric checks and minimal queuing, enhancing traveller experience while bolstering national security.
Revolutionising Immigration Process
Schreiber said the ETA would eliminate visa barriers that have suppressed South Africa’s tourism potential while revolutionising the immigration process in terms of security.
“Instead of long queues, paper forms and inefficiency, from now on, the first impression that tourists will get of South Africa will be when they apply online for an ETA,” he said.
Meanwhile, the South African Department of Home Affairs tested several new visa schemes for travellers entering that country for specific purposes last year.
These included the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), which gave verified tour group operators access to an online platform to submit clients’ visa details.
ETA Effectively Enables Same Advantages
Schreiber said the TTOS pilot brought an additional 35,000 tourists from China and India to South Africa over seven months. It is being discontinued as the ETA effectively enables the same advantages.
The department also introduced the Meetings, Events, Exhibitions, and Tourism Scheme (MEETS) for international attendees of major conferences, sporting events, exhibitions, and other global events.
In addition, the Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES) was rolled out for entertainment professionals, including movie and television production companies.
In his announcement on STAGES in July 2025, Schreiber revealed that visa issues cost South Africa a Netflix production that was filmed in Mexico instead.
Inject Millions Into Economy
The production would have injected an estimated E400 million into the South African economy.
The MEETS and STAGES schemes have been broadly welcomed, including by the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa).
Fedhasa national chairperson Rosemary Anderson said it was refreshing to see a minister who “so clearly understands, in practical terms,” how that country’s “outdated” visa regime had been costing it dearly.
He said the STAGES and MEETS visa categories were not just policy reforms but they were powerful economic enablers that signal to the world that South Africa is truly open for business.
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