Cape Town – Foreign visitors to Cape Town International Airport can expect to have a much smoother arrival experience after immigration staff capacity was increased.
The capacity of the Border Management Authority’s (BMA) immigration officials under a partnership between the BMA, Western Cape government, and City of Cape Town has nearly doubled.
The initiative was officially launched on Monday, 18 August 2025, by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Cape Town Mayor Hill-Lewis said: “A smoother, faster experience at the airport means tourists get to Table Mountain before sunset, and the tour guide in Langa does not lose his business due to airport delays.
“When we all pull together, the whole tourism economy benefits.
“That’s why we are glad to support this initiative to improve visitor experience, which is a key part of boosting the tourism economy and job creation over time.”
At least 48 assistant port control officers will be seconded by the City and Western Cape government to nearly double the processing capacity at Cape Town International.
“This visionary partnership is a vote of confidence in the BMA, which continues to make meaningful strides in improving border management despite severe resource constraints and a budget shortfall of R4.3 billion,” said Minister Schreiber.
“In the face of these constraints, the WCG and COCT have stepped up to boost immigration capacity at the airport to enhance national security while driving tourism growth and job creation in the city and province.
“This is a great example of government leaders working together to resolve long-standing challenges for the benefit of all.”
Commenting on the move, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said: “The Western Cape Government is proud to contribute 24 officials to boost operations at CTIA.
“This is in line with our regional economic strategy to grow tourist arrivals through various initiatives, including the Air Access programme, to add more direct flights, support small businesses and job creation, as well as increasing capacity at this key port of entry.
“These young women and men will not only help give operations a boost, they will also serve as ‘ambassadors’ for our province, welcoming visitors and adding to their positive experience of Cape Town and the Western Cape.”
In total, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government will each contribute 24 personnel, taking the total immigration processing capacity at the Cape Town International Airport from 66 to 114.
Assistant port control officers will perform various duties, including customs processing.
City law enforcement officers were among the secondees; these trained personnel will also be able to offer various safety functions such as search, seizure, arrest, and detention where illegal activity was detected.
