E-visa system to roll out

 Eswatini is set to revolutionise its immigration process with a new e-visa system, moving beyond the traditional hassle of passport stamps and stickers. Chief Immigration Officer Mthokozisi Dlamini announced the development at the inaugural Eswatini Tourism Nkwe Indaba in Ezulwini, revealing that the system is at an advanced stage. Dlamini said the Home Affairs Ministry is finalising an immigration Bill that will include provisions for the new system. The e-visa will allow travellers to apply online, replacing traditional passport stamps and stickers with a digital record linked to their passports. Once the system is live, visa holders will be able to generate a unique share code for verification, simplifying travel, work, study and residency processes.

The digital upgrade is also expected to enhance security and reduce the risk of losing or damaging important travel documents. This innovative approach promises to streamline entry into the country, making it quicker and more secure for visitors and officials alike.

It should be noted that other African countries long adopted the e-visa system. According to Visa News, 37 countries in Africa offer an e-visa or ETA and the forerunner was Ethiopia in June 2017, making it accessible to travellers from over 200 countries.

AFRICAN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE ADOPTED E-VISA SYSTEM ARE;

• Angola

• Ascension Island

• Benin

• Botswana

• Burkina Faso

• Burundi

• Cameroon

• Cape Verde

• Chad

• Democratic Republic of Congo

• Djibouti

• Egypt

• Equatorial Guinea

• Ethiopia

• Gabon Guinea

• Ivory Coast

• Kenya

• Libya

• Madagascar

• Malawi

• Mauritania

• Morocco

• Mozambique

• Namibia

• Uganda

• Rwanda

• Saint Helena

• Sao Tome and Principe

• Seychelles (ETA)

• Sierra Leone

• South Africa

• South Sudan

• Tanzania

• Togo

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe