Home Affairs launches digital platform for event visa applications
In a move to fast-track visa processing for attendees of major international events, the Department of Home Affairs has launched a new digital platform, the Meetings, Exhibitions, Events and Tourism Scheme (MEETS).
The department says the platform is a key visa reform initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s position as a leading global destination for conferences, exhibitions, sporting tournaments, and major cultural and entertainment events. MEETS introduces a secure and efficient system to process high-volume, time-sensitive group visa applications linked to international events hosted in South Africa. Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, said the platform will help turn the visa system into a competitive advantage.
“Through MEETS, we are ensuring that our visa system becomes a tool to attract more conferences, exhibitions, sporting tournaments and cultural events that create jobs and stimulate economic growth,” Schreiber said.
South Africa regularly hosts large-scale events that draw international participants, including teams, performers, delegates, and technical staff who often need to travel within tight timelines. The department noted that traditional visa processes have at times been fragmented and slow.
“With MEETS, we are introducing streamlined online submissions tailored specifically for major international events, ensuring that high-volume applications can be processed efficiently when every second counts,” Schreiber added.
The minister emphasised that the launch of MEETS marks another milestone in the department’s ongoing digital transformation efforts.
Accredited event organisers will be required to enter into a formal Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs to regulate participation and ensure proper governance of the scheme.
Compiled by Clement Matroos
