On February 25, 2026, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) published a notice in the official government gazette, inviting expressions of interest for accreditation to the new Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme (MEETS).
There is no closing date for submitting expressions of interest for admission to MEETS but interested parties are advised to submit expressions of interest and register their international event at least four months before the event starts.
MEETS, announced in the budget vote speech by the Minister of Home Affairs on July 8, 2025 along with the Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES), is intended to put in place a streamlined visa regime that will attract and promote South Africa as a preferred destination for international arts, culture, sports, and entertainment events.
To qualify for membership to the MEETS visa scheme, a domestic event organizer, operator, business, or organization needs to demonstrate that it adheres to the regulatory requirements in the MEETS sector, that it promotes the employment of South Africans and that it has sufficient administrative capacity to facilitate group visa applications for the event.
Applications must contain all information specified in the Selection Criteria set out in the notice. The scored results will be assessed and validated by an Inter-Departmental Committee and the Department of Home Affairs will make the final selection. The applicants will be advised of the outcome within 60 days of the date of submission.
Companies that are approved for admission to the scheme will be required to pay the applicable prescribed fee per visitor processed on the MEETS platform for an international event.
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