Change is coming. For those of you travelling to South Africa in the near future, Malusi Gigaba just made your life a little easier.
For many visitors, travelling to South Africa begins with a mountain of paperwork and laborious visits to government institutions. However, the visa processes have now been relaxed significantly, as Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba revealed some huge changes on Tuesday morning.
In fact, a total of 19 countries have seen a visa requirement waived altogether. Meanwhile, tourists coming from China and India can now do all their applications remotely. These aren’t the only alterations Gigaba revealed at his media briefing, though:
E-visas are coming
If you need to catch up with what an e-visa is, you can read about it here. It’s literally an electronic form of your visa paperwork. South Africa is looking to pilot this scheme with travellers to and from New Zealand, from Autumn 2019.
E-gates are also being introduced to both Cape Town and Lanseria Airports respectively. This is where you simply scan your passport and look into a camera, allowing you to progress through border control without having to wait in long queues or face any human interaction.
Long-term multiple entry visas
Gigaba’s plans aren’t just about enticing new visitors to South Africa each year. They are firmly focused on keeping the returning tourists – the regulars, shall we say – happy with Mzansi.
That’s why there will be a roll-out of three long-term visas for travellers from certain areas. South Africa is earning its spot at the Brics table, by offering residents of Brazil, Russia, India and China a 10-year multiple entry visa.
Meanwhile, a 10-year visitor visa for academics and business-people from Africa is also in the pipeline. Not coming here in an official capacity? Then you’re still catered for, thanks to the new three-year multiple entry visa that will be offered to frequent travellers who come to our shores.
Visa applications have been made much easier for Chinese and Indian tourists
Staying with the theme of keeping our Brics partners happy, travelling to South Africa just got a whole lot easier for our Chinese and Indian visitors. Starting from next month, these changes will come into effect:
- Visa applications for South Africa can now be done via courier, rather than in person.
- Biometrics will only be taken on arrival in SA.
- Five-year multiple entry visas will also be offered.
Critical skills update
By April 2019, Home Affairs will look to have a revised critical skills list for foreigners. They are likely to add more fields of employment to the list, opening the doors for a wider range of skilled and valuable migrant workers.
Interestingly, foreign students who graduate from South African university courses related to the critical skills shortlist will be offered the chance to apply for permanent residency, upon completion of their course.
Visa waiver agreements
A total of 19 countries are in line to be granted visa-free travel to South Africa, following the proposals delivered by Malusi Gigaba. It looks as if the doors have been thrown open for Gulf State nations – something we’re sure will keep a certain Jacob Zuma very happy.
Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sao Tome and Principe, Tunisia, Ghana, The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Saharans).
Middle-East: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Palestine, Iran, Lebannon, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.
Europe: Belarus, Georgia.
North America: Cuba.
Minors
Finally, the department is keen to make things a lot smoother for minors travelling to South Africa. Malusi Gigaba announced that there will be less “rigidity” when it comes to this policy:
“We are simplifying the rules on travelling minors who are foreign nationals to minimize disruption to legitimate travellers without compromising the safety of minors and the rights of their parents.”
“Immigration officials will only insist on documentation by exception, in high-risk situations, rather than for all travellers, in line with practice by several other countries. Rather than denying entry where documentation is absent, travellers will be given an opportunity to prove parental consent.”
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: Tom Head via The South African [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
SA President Ramaphosa to Open Home Affairs Office in Hluhluwe, KZN
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to officially open new offices for the Department of Home Affairs in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.
The Presidency said that this formed part of government’s commitment to bringing services closer to the people.
The President will be joined by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, in celebrating the roll out of civic services to communities in the north of KwaZulu-Natal.
“The Department of Home Affairs is custodian, protector and verifier of the identity and status of citizens and other persons resident in South Africa.
“By expanding these services to marginalized communities, the department plays a key role in enabling and deepening democracy and social justice,” said Spokesperson Khusela Diko.
President Ramaphosa and Gigaba are expected to address members of the public around issues like access to Home Affairs services; application for and collection of identity documents; as well as efforts to eliminate queues.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
Foreign Migrant Influx Straining Gauteng’s Resources: Government Report
The problem is attributed to porous borders where illegal migrants cross, and they then place huge strain on services and infrastructure.
A government report has suggested that beside a battle with limited resources, an influx of international migrants has put further strain on Gauteng’s services.
The report found that Gauteng was not only saddled with having to accommodate internal migrants from the rest of the country, but it was getting overwhelmed by an influx of international migrants who have to depend on its health and education resources.26
The scathing report is a joint investigation by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) into the impact of migration on service delivery in Gauteng.
The probe found that 47% of international migrants settled in Johannesburg without valid documentation and placed a strain on its limited resources.
Gauteng’s population is known to increase at the highest rate in the country due to an influx of migrants from other provinces and foreign immigrants into urban areas including squatter camps.
The contents of the investigation were revealed by Charity Moyo, spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng premier candidate Solly Msimanga’s campaign.
“This is placing a huge strain on the city’s infrastructure, as well as services such as education and healthcare,” Moyo said.
She said the influx of foreign migrants resulted in the province’s schools struggling to absorb the increasing number of applicants yearly.
Moyo further revealed that Gauteng needed approximately 142 new schools to deal with the current demand – a number which does not take into consideration the yearly influx of new students into the province.
The report, which followed a joint visit by a group from the two institutions, found that Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital was the worst affected by the situation.
The problem was attributed to the porous borders where illegal migrants crossed and when they fell ill inside the country, they became a burden on the Gauteng health system – which was already crippled.
Moyo said uncontrolled immigration was putting a strain on Gauteng resources like the hospital, because migrants were unable to pay for their bills while the healthcare facilities were not enough to cater for additional patients.
“The hospital is forced to house undocumented foreign patients at a cost of R4 500 a day.
“Most of these patients are also unable to pay their outstanding bills.
“In the 2017/18 financial year, the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital had to write off about R1 billion due to unsettled debt,” Moyo said.
“It is clear that South Africa can ill afford not to secure its borders as uncontrolled immigration is violating the rights of the ordinary residents of this province who have to compete for services.
“This problem has been compounded by the widespread corruption within the department of home affairs which has led to an immigration system failure.”
Moyo accused the ANC government of being incapable of ensuring law and order, rooting out corruption and managing the real problems that Gauteng faced, instead of only caring about enriching themselves.
“This is not what we were promised. We need leadership and change capable of ensuring equal access to opportunities for all South Africans,” Moyo said.
“The DA will fight corruption, fix the police force to be honest and professional, create fair access to real and long-term jobs, secure our borders and speed up the delivery of basic services.”
The permanent delegates of the NCOP and members of the provincial legislature visited service delivery sites in Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane and the West Rand district municipality from September 17 to 21.
The visits were in preparation for the upcoming “Taking Parliament to the People” programme expected to take place in November and were held under the theme “Impact of migration – deepening cooperative governance for accelerated service delivery and development”.
The NCOP said the information acquired during the preliminary visits and public meetings would be compiled and submitted to the executives in all three spheres of government for their interventions prior to the parliamentary session due in Gauteng in November.
A statement from parliament read: “This is one of the flagship programmes of the legislatures through which they exercise oversight on the executive, while also promoting citizen participation in governance.”
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: Eric Naki via The Citizen [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
Six Big South African Visa Changes Announced
Change is coming. For those of you travelling to South Africa in the near future, Malusi Gigaba just made your life a little easier.
For many visitors, travelling to South Africa begins with a mountain of paperwork and laborious visits to government institutions. However, the visa processes have now been relaxed significantly, as Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba revealed some huge changes on Tuesday morning.
In fact, a total of 19 countries have seen a visa requirement waived altogether. Meanwhile, tourists coming from China and India can now do all their applications remotely. These aren’t the only alterations Gigaba revealed at his media briefing, though:
E-visas are coming
If you need to catch up with what an e-visa is, you can read about it here. It’s literally an electronic form of your visa paperwork. South Africa is looking to pilot this scheme with travellers to and from New Zealand, from Autumn 2019.
E-gates are also being introduced to both Cape Town and Lanseria Airports respectively. This is where you simply scan your passport and look into a camera, allowing you to progress through border control without having to wait in long queues or face any human interaction.
Long-term multiple entry visas
Gigaba’s plans aren’t just about enticing new visitors to South Africa each year. They are firmly focused on keeping the returning tourists – the regulars, shall we say – happy with Mzansi.
That’s why there will be a roll-out of three long-term visas for travellers from certain areas. South Africa is earning its spot at the Brics table, by offering residents of Brazil, Russia, India and China a 10-year multiple entry visa.
Meanwhile, a 10-year visitor visa for academics and business-people from Africa is also in the pipeline. Not coming here in an official capacity? Then you’re still catered for, thanks to the new three-year multiple entry visa that will be offered to frequent travellers who come to our shores.
Visa applications have been made much easier for Chinese and Indian tourists
Staying with the theme of keeping our Brics partners happy, travelling to South Africa just got a whole lot easier for our Chinese and Indian visitors. Starting from next month, these changes will come into effect:
Critical skills update
By April 2019, Home Affairs will look to have a revised critical skills list for foreigners. They are likely to add more fields of employment to the list, opening the doors for a wider range of skilled and valuable migrant workers.
Interestingly, foreign students who graduate from South African university courses related to the critical skills shortlist will be offered the chance to apply for permanent residency, upon completion of their course.
Visa waiver agreements
A total of 19 countries are in line to be granted visa-free travel to South Africa, following the proposals delivered by Malusi Gigaba. It looks as if the doors have been thrown open for Gulf State nations – something we’re sure will keep a certain Jacob Zuma very happy.
Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sao Tome and Principe, Tunisia, Ghana, The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Saharans).
Middle-East: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Palestine, Iran, Lebannon, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.
Europe: Belarus, Georgia.
North America: Cuba.
Minors
Finally, the department is keen to make things a lot smoother for minors travelling to South Africa. Malusi Gigaba announced that there will be less “rigidity” when it comes to this policy:
“We are simplifying the rules on travelling minors who are foreign nationals to minimize disruption to legitimate travellers without compromising the safety of minors and the rights of their parents.”
“Immigration officials will only insist on documentation by exception, in high-risk situations, rather than for all travellers, in line with practice by several other countries. Rather than denying entry where documentation is absent, travellers will be given an opportunity to prove parental consent.”
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: Tom Head via The South African [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
The Benefits of Using an Immigration Provider, and How to Choose the Right One
In the second part of our Choosing a Service Provider series, we’re looking at Immigration. As with temporary relocation, immigration can be a stressful and time-consuming endeavor. And however rewarding it may be in the end, it can also cost a lot, especially if you don’t do research leading up to your move.
Fortunately, you are able to get help if need be. Making use of an Immigration Service Provider can alleviate these issues, potentially saving you time, energy, and money. We asked our Director, Tracy, who heads up our Immigration Division, for an overview of the reasons you should use an Immigration Service Provider, and what to consider when looking for the best one for your needs.
What types of services is an Immigration Service Provider able to assist with?
Immigration Service Providers are able to offer a variety of related services, including facilitation, assistance, advice, and guidance relating to Visas, Permits, Authentications, Translations, Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications, Board/Body/Council Registrations, and Citizenship matters. The scope of these services may vary between providers.
Are there any limitations with regards to what a Service Provider can assist with?
Generally, such a provider is:
What are the major benefits of using an Immigration Service Provider?
Benefits include ensuring that:
What are the downsides of doing everything oneself?
Choosing to apply on your own may result in the application forms not being completed, or filled out correctly; choosing the incorrect visa category; nor wording letters correctly; and general uncertainties and misinterpretations of requirements, which leads to submission of incorrect support documentation, which further leads to application rejections.
What should one look for when choosing a Service Provider?
When choosing your Immigration Service Provider, it is important to ensure that they have references from past work provided, and that they are registered with a local professional body. In South Africa, this is the Forum of Immigration Practitioners of SA (FIPSA). It is also important to ensure that the Provider has been in business for several years, and that they have a comprehensive business set up (physical office address, reachable contact numbers and emails, websites with information about their services, etc). Checking all of these things before conducting business will give you peace of mind that your chosen Provider is trustworthy and well-established.
What should one do if one is experiencing difficulty working with one’s current Service Provider?
If you have tried unsuccessfully to resolve the issue with your chosen Provider, and the provider is a member of a local professional body, such as FIPSA, one may reach out to the body to request guidance. It may also be advisable to reach out to a second Provider for advice.
Is it best to work with a Service Provider located in one’s current country, or the country which one is planning to relocate to?
With current technology, it is almost irrelevant which country the service provider is located in. Make your decision based on whichever method will be easier for your communication. Bear in mind that a provider may have more knowledge about the country (and its Immigration Acts) that they are established in than a provider located elsewhere in the world.
Any insights with regards to what is happening in the South African Immigration space right now?
The Department of Home Affairs is doing random inspections at companies (without prior notice), to check if their foreign employees have the necessary legal documentation. These random checks may increase with time. Changes to the SA Immigration Act will more than likely be implemented during 2019. If so, we will be sure to let our readers know about them.
Using an established Immigration Service Provider can help you save both time and money, and allow you to enjoy more of the process of moving to your new country. With over 25 years of experience across the African continent, Relocation Africa would be happy to assist you with your immigration needs, and help you embrace the unknown. For more information about our Immigration services, feel free to reach out to Tracy du Plessis, via marketing@relocationafrica.com, or on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1]. Image sources: Nils Nedel on Unsplash [1].
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.