Latest news with #TTOS
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
SA's new visa programme gets a big boost
The Department of Home Affairs has moved into phase two of its new Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). As reported by BusinessTech , this phase consists of adding a further 45 vetted tour operators to the visa programme. This expansion brings the total to 110 approved operators, up from 65 since the scheme's launch earlier this year. The TTOS, which officially launched in February, was designed to streamline visa applications for large tour groups from India and China, two of South Africa's fastest-growing tourism markets. Using the system, approved tour operators can basically submit visa applications online and receive digital approvals within an average of 24 hours, a dramatic improvement over previous processing times. Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber said the visa programme has already brought an extra 25 000 visitors from India and China to South Africa, tourists who might have been put off by traditional visa delays. 'TTOS demonstrates the power of our digital transformation agenda to enable economic growth and create jobs,' Schreiber said, as per BusinessTech . 'The fact that we have attracted over 25,000 tourists in just six months working with a small handful of tour operators, confirms the enormous potential of growing this digital-first approach.' he also added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Schreiber launches of phase two of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. Image: Ntswe Mokoena/GCIS The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has announced the launch of phase two of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), a provess that boosts tourism from India and China to South Africa. This adds another 45 vetted and approved tour operators to the existing 65 operators that have participated in the programme since its launch in February 2025. TTOS was conceptualised by Schreiber to address the long-standing challenge faced by tour operators in bringing large tour groups from the burgeoningsource markets of India and China to South Africa. It replaced manual, inefficient and paper-based processes that required prospective tourists to travel long distances justto apply for a visa, which then often took weeks to process and required a return trip for collection, with a new online system whereby tour operators upload applications online and get digital outcomes, on average, within 24 hours. The selected tour operators have entered into agreements with the Department to assume responsibility for the tourists they bring to the country. Home Affairs said since the launch of the TTOS online portal just six months ago, TTOS has already succeeded in bringing an additional 25 024 tourists from India and China to South Africa who would otherwise have been deterred by the visa delays that previously undermined the ability of group travellers from these countries to spend valuable foreign currency in South Africa. "The latest research from Operation Vulindlela shows that one new formal sector job is created for every 13 tourists who visit our country, suggesting that TTOS has already created 1 924 new jobs during its first phase. Building on this success and after a rigorous inter-departmental assessment process, Home Affairs has now expanded the original group of operators from 65 to 110, further boosting the prospects for growing the tourism industry at a time of major economic headwinds for our country," it said. Schreiber said: 'TTOS demonstrates the power of our digital transformation agenda to enable economic growth and create jobs. The fact that we have attracted over 25 000 tourists in just six months working with a small handful of tour operators, confirms the enormous potential of growing this digital-first approach. That is exactly what we doing through the expansion of TTOS, as well as the pending introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and dedicated visa schemes for events and the creative industries. Taken together, our digital transformation agenda is set to take South Africa to a whole new level as a global destination.' Schreiber said, "Each reform we implement must be viewed as an individual piece of the bigger digital transformation puzzle we are building. All of our work is guided by our vision to deliver Home Affairs @ home, by building digital channels that enable both South Africans and legitimate travellers to obtain services online, from the comfort of their own homes. TTOS demonstrates the power of turning this vision into practice.' BUSINESS REPORT
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
South Africa's fast-track visa scheme draws over 25,000 tourists in six months
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has attracted a total of 25,024 tourists in the last six months, the Department of Home Affairs said on Friday. Launched last year to streamline visa applications and boost arrivals from India and China, the scheme began its first phase in February with 65 selected tour operators from South Africa, India, and China. In a statement released on Friday, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber announced the launch of the scheme's second phase, which adds another 45 vetted tour operators to the list. "The TTOS demonstrates the power of our digital transformation agenda to enable economic growth and create jobs. The fact that we have attracted over 25,000 tourists in just six months confirms the enormous potential of growing this digital-first approach," said the minister. Previously, tourists from markets such as India and China had to submit paper-based visa applications in person and wait up to two weeks for a decision. Under the TTOS, applications are filed online and processed within 24 hours, Schreiber said. Government research shows that every 13 tourists generate one new formal job. Schreiber said the scheme's first phase has already created 1,924 jobs.
News18
23-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Indians Can Now Travel Easier (And Smarter): The Most Exciting Visa Updates of 2025
Last Updated: From visa-free getaways to remote work opportunities, new 2025 visa policies are opening exciting doors for Indian travellers across the globe. International travel just got a whole lot easier for Indian passport holders, thanks to several major updates in visa policies worldwide. From visa-free access to streamlined processing and new digital nomad opportunities, here are the key changes you need to know before planning your next getaway: 1. Remote Work Now Allowed on New Zealand Visitor Visa Starting January 27, 2025, New Zealand has updated its visitor visa rules to permit remote work for up to 90 days during a stay of up to six months. This means if you're employed by a foreign company, you can work remotely while primarily enjoying New Zealand as a tourist. 2. South Africa Launches Express Visa via Tour Operators South Africa has introduced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), allowing accredited tour operators to submit group visa applications directly. This move reduces the processing time to just three working days, offering a smoother experience for Indian group travellers. 3. Palau Grants Visa-Free Entry for Indians The island nation of Palau now offers Indian citizens visa-free access for short visits of up to 30 days. Although there are no direct flights from India, convenient connections through cities like Singapore, Manila, Seoul, and Taipei make it a reachable paradise for Indian tourists. The Philippines now grants visa-free entry to Indian nationals under two new provisions. Indians can visit for up to 14 days visa-free for tourism. Moreover, if you hold a valid visa or permanent residency from countries like the US, Japan, or within the Schengen zone, you're eligible for a 30-day visa-free stay. 5. US to Add USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee Indian travellers heading to the US should brace for increased costs. A new USD 250 (approximately ₹21,600) 'visa integrity fee" will apply to most nonimmigrant visas, including student and work categories. This will raise the total application fee to around USD 473 (roughly ₹41,000). The implementation date is expected to be around October 1, 2025. 6. US Student Visa Applicants Face Social Media Scrutiny Indian students applying for US visas will now be subject to mandatory social media disclosure. All handles and usernames used in the past five years must be declared, and applicants must keep their profiles public. Deactivating accounts or deleting posts just before applying may raise red flags. 7. Slovenia to Welcome Indian Digital Nomads Slovenia is set to roll out its digital nomad visa on November 21, 2025. Indian remote workers employed by foreign companies can live in Slovenia for up to a year, with the option to bring their family. However, the visa is non-renewable, and a six-month break outside Slovenia will be required to reapply. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 08:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
22-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
New Visa Updates For Indian Passport Holders Before You Board Your Next Flight
Global travel for Indians just got simpler than ever with new visa updates in 2025. Several countries have introduced changes to their visa policies, making it easier for Indians to explore the world. These updates include relaxed visa norms, digital application processes and increased validity periods. Let's have a look at some of these important visa changes, that you should know: 1. New Zealand Visitor Visa Allows Remote Work From January 27, 2025, New Zealand's visitor visa allows remote workers to live and work in the country for up to six months. If you work remotely for a foreign company and are planning to stay in New Zealand, up to 90 days of your visit can be spent on remote work. Remote work is permitted as a secondary activity, with tourism or personal travel remaining the primary purpose of the visit. 2. South Africa Visa In Just Three Days South Africa's new Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) allows registered tour operators to submit group visa applications directly. This eliminates the need for individual applications and reduces processing time to just three days. As India currently contributes only 3.9% of South Africa's international visitors, TTOS aims to address key challenges such as visa processing delays and language barriers. 3. Palau Is Now Visa Free The Republic of Palau now offers Indian passport holders visa-free entry for short-term visits, allowing stays of up to 30 days. This move aims to boost bilateral relations, cultural ties and tourism between the two nations. While direct flights from India aren't available, connecting flights through cities like Manila, Singapore, Seoul, and Taipei make it easily accessible. 4. Philippines Is Visa-Free The Philippines has updated its visa-free entry regulations for Indian travellers, offering two types of short-term visa-free entry with distinct eligibility requirements. Indian nationals can now visit the country without a visa for up to 14 days for tourism purposes. Additionally, Indians holding valid visas or permanent residency from select key countries like Japan, the US, and Schengen countries can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay. 5. US to Introduce A New USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee The US has approved a new USD 250 (Rs 21,605) "visa integrity fee" for nonimmigrant visa applicants, including students, workers and tourists. This fee will be charged in addition to existing visa fees, increasing the total cost for Indian nationals to around USD 473 (approx 41,000). The fee's start date has not been announced yet. However, it could go into effect on October 1, 2025. 6. Social Media Checks For Student Visas Social media vetting will now be part of US student visa applications. Students will be required to make their social media accounts public. They will have to share all social media handles or usernames used in the past five years. Deleting older posts or deactivating accounts immediately before applying will be interpreted as an attempt to conceal information. 7. Slovenia To Launch A Digital Nomad Visa Slovenia is launching a digital nomad visa on November 21, 2025. It will allow Indian remote workers to live in the country for up to one year. Eligible applicants must work for a foreign-based company and will be allowed to bring their families. The visa will be non-renewable, requiring a six-month stay outside Slovenia to reapply.
