South Africa Welcomes First Group of Tourists from China Under New Fast-Track Visa Scheme
South Africa has welcomed its first group of tourists from China under the new Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), a digital visa initiative designed to streamline travel for visitors from India and China. The group, consisting of 15 tourists and a tour guide, arrived at Cape Town International Airport just days after their visa applications were processed. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber hailed the scheme as a significant step in boosting arrivals from these key source markets.
Launched on 12 February 2025, the TTOS enables pre-approved tour operators from South Africa, India, and China to facilitate faster visa applications. With only 41,600 arrivals from India and 79,700 from China in 2024, the initiative aims to substantially increase these numbers, supporting broader efforts to grow international tourism. The Department of Tourism is also promoting additional visa initiatives, including Electronic Travel Authorisation and Digital Nomad Visas, to further enhance accessibility and attract more visitors to South Africa.
Source: Home Affairs
