Effective 1 August 2025
South Africa’s border control procedures have officially entered a new phase. As of 1 August 2025, new immigration entry and exit stamps have been implemented at all ports of entry across the country. This includes airports, land border posts, and seaports. The change was confirmed by the Border Management Authority (BMA) and communicated to key government departments such as the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, and the South African Police Service.
Why the Change?
The new stamps form part of a broader effort to:
- Enhance border security
- Standardise immigration control measures
- Improve the verification of travel documentation
Who Is Affected?
The new stamps apply to all travellers, regardless of nationality or visa status. Whether you’re entering South Africa for tourism, business, work, or transit, your passport will now reflect the updated entry/exit markings.
Travellers are advised to double-check their stamps when entering and exiting the country to ensure they are accurately recorded and reflect the correct category of travel.
What to Expect
- A new design of the stamps will now be visible in your passport.
- You may notice differences in how entry, exit, and transit stamps are formatted or annotated.
- Border officials have been trained to implement the new system, so processes should remain smooth, but travellers should still review their documents before leaving the port of entry.
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