South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorization Website Lists 'Taiwan, China' – MOFA Responds

Following demands for Taiwan's representative office to relocate from the capital, Pretoria, and be downgraded and renamed as the Taipei Commercial Office, South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system has again listed Taiwan as 'Taiwan, China' on its account registration page. Today, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated that it has instructed its representative office in South Africa to formally express serious concern and protest to the South African authorities.

South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system was launched in three phases starting October last year. The first phase, in October, provided online visa application services for personnel from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico attending the G20 summit. The second phase, in November of the same year, opened applications to nationals of these four countries. The third phase, which will fully expand the system, currently has no set timeline.

Upon visiting the South African ETA application website, the dropdown menu for 'Passport country of issue' on the account registration page lists the flag of the Republic of China under 'Taiwan, China.' Additionally, the country code +886 is also categorized under 'Taiwan, China' for contact phone numbers.

However, despite Taiwan being listed as 'Taiwan, China' in the registration form, the website still prevents users from applying for an ETA after registration, citing that Taiwan is not currently on the list of eligible countries.

In response to media inquiries, MOFA stated that the South African ETA is a preliminary phase before the full launch of the electronic visa (e-Visa) system and is currently only open to citizens of China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. Taiwanese nationals are not eligible for this system. Under current South African regulations, Taiwanese citizens must still apply for paper visas in person at the 'South Africa Liaison Office.' MOFA emphasized that the visa application process for Taiwanese citizens remains unaffected.

MOFA stressed that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state, with no subordination to the People's Republic of China. Regarding the incorrect listing of Taiwan's name in the nationality selection option on South Africa's ETA system, MOFA has instructed its representative office in South Africa to formally express serious concern and protest to the South African government.

Since October 2024, the South African government has twice sent official letters requesting Taiwan's representative office to relocate from the capital, Pretoria. During ongoing negotiations, South Africa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated its official website, renaming Taiwan's representative office as the 'Taipei Commercial Office' and changing its address to Johannesburg. On July 21, 2025, the South African government officially announced through a government gazette that the two offices would be renamed as the 'Taipei Commercial Office in Johannesburg' and the 'Taipei Commercial Office in Cape Town.'