SA Tourism & the Department of Home Affairs Partner to Boost South Africa’s MICE Competitiveness Ahead of Meetings Africa

SSouth African Tourism has welcomed the Department of Home Affairs’ continued collaboration in supporting the successful hosting of Meetings Africa, one of the continent’s premier business events and trade shows.

Following engagements between the Department of Tourism (DT), through the National Tourism Stakeholder Forum (NTSF), South African Tourism, Tourism Industry and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), a dedicated support desk has been established to assist with visa processing for international delegates attending Meetings Africa and other major business events that have been registered with the DHA. This intervention is designed to ensure seamless access for confirmed international exhibitors, hosted buyers, and delegates.

In preparation for Meetings Africa, South African Tourism has formally registered the trade show with the Department of Home Affairs. As a result, DHA has mobilised South African embassies and missions abroad to facilitate visa processing for participants travelling to South Africa for Meetings Africa and other MICE events.

South African Tourism has expressed its appreciation for the Department of Home Affairs’ proactive support, noting that efficient visa processes are critical to the success of Meetings Africa and to strengthening South Africa’s position as a leading destination for business events on the African continent. To enter South Africa, it is necessary to hold visas issued by South African Missions abroad and or Department of Home Affairs if the persons concerned are citizens of countries subject to visa control. All delegates’ passports must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended date of departure from the RSA and should contain at least two unused visa pages when presenting the passport for purposes of endorsing a visa.

South African Tourism believes that efficient and predictable visa processes are critical to positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). The establishment of a dedicated visa support mechanism underscores the government’s commitment to removing barriers to travel, stimulating international arrivals, and strengthening South Africa’s reputation as a world-class business events destination. Relatedly, progress made on the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme to facilitate group travel for some markets and the Electronic Travel Authorisation, which is part of the digital transformation journey, is commendable.

“The Department of Home Affairs’ proactive support, particularly through the establishment of a dedicated desk and the mobilisation of its international footprint, demonstrates a shared commitment to growing the sector, driving economic impact and ensuring South Africa remains competitive in the global meetings and events market”, says Corne Koch, Chief Convention Bureau Officer at South African Tourism.

Marking its 20th edition, Meetings Africa will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 23 – 25 February 2026.

ENDS

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