| Submission declined on 9 April 2025 by S0091 (talk). Thank you for your submission, but the subject of this article already exists in Wikipedia. You can find it and improve it at Immigration to South Africa instead.
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| Submission declined. The reviewer(s) who declined this submission will be listed in the page history. | |
| Submission declined on 8 April 2025 by Greenman (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are: Declined by Greenman 5 days ago.
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Comment: The other topics covered here that are not covered at Immigration to South Africa are not encyclopedic. They skew into WP:NOTHOWTO and largely only covered by primary sources. If resubmitted, it will likely be rejected meaning it will no longer be considered. S0091 (talk) 20:56, 9 April 2025 (UTC)
- Comment: This was only submitted today, yet two of the sources are already 404s. Greenman (talk) 18:26, 8 April 2025 (UTC)
South African Immigration and Visa System
editSouth Africa’s immigration system is governed by the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002, administered by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The framework encompasses various visa categories designed to manage the entry and residence of foreign nationals, addressing the country's economic needs and regulatory requirements.
Legal and Administrative Framework
editThe Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002 provides the legal foundation for immigration policies in South Africa. The DHA is responsible for implementing these policies, overseeing the issuance of visas and permits, and ensuring compliance with immigration laws.
Visa Categories
editSouth Africa offers several visa options, including:
- General Work Visa: For foreign nationals with a confirmed job offer in South Africa, subject to proof that the position cannot be filled by a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Critical Skills Work Visa: Targeted at individuals possessing skills or qualifications deemed critical for the Republic, as listed in the Critical Skills List. The latest list was gazetted on 3 October 2023.[1]
- Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa: For employees being transferred from an overseas branch of a company to a branch in South Africa.
- Business Visa: For foreign nationals intending to establish or invest in a business in South Africa, subject to certain capital requirements and the employment of South African citizens or permanent residents.
Critical Skills List
editThe Critical Skills List identifies occupations that are in high demand within South Africa. The most recent update was published in Government Gazette No. 49402 on 3 October 2023.[1]
Administrative Challenges and Backlogs
editAs of late 2023, the DHA faced significant backlogs in processing visa applications. Reports indicated that the backlog for temporary residency visas exceeded 74,000 applications, with an additional 43,944 permanent residency permits pending.[2]
Trusted Employer Scheme (TES)
editIn an effort to streamline the employment of foreign nationals, the DHA introduced the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) on 11 October 2023. This initiative allows qualifying employers to undergo a vetting process, and upon approval, benefit from expedited visa processing for their foreign employees.[3]
Remote Work Visa Proposal
editIn February 2024, the DHA published draft amendments to the Immigration Regulations, proposing the introduction of a Remote Work Visa. This visa category is designed to attract foreign professionals who wish to work remotely from South Africa for international employers. The proposal includes criteria such as proof of employment with a foreign entity and meeting a specified income threshold.[4]
Policy Criticism and Stakeholder Responses
editThe South African visa system has faced criticism from various stakeholders. Business groups have expressed concerns over the efficiency of visa processing, citing prolonged delays that impact economic growth and the ability to attract foreign investment. Legal experts have also highlighted issues related to transparency and consistency in the adjudication of visa applications.[5]
Recent Developments
editIn October 2024, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced reforms aimed at overhauling the visa system to stimulate economic growth. These reforms include the introduction of a points-based system for work visas and the formalization of the Remote Work Visa. The minister emphasized the importance of attracting skilled workers and tourists to bolster the economy.[6]
See Also
edit- Department of Home Affairs (South Africa)
- Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002
- Visa policy of South Africa
References
edit- ^ a b "Immigration Act Regulations: Critical Skills List". Department of Home Affairs. 3 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "Massive visa backlog in South Africa gets even worse". BusinessTech. 21 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "Trusted Employer Scheme". Department of Home Affairs. 11 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "New laws for remote worker and critical skill visas in South Africa". BusinessTech. 9 February 2024. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "Visa chaos at Home Affairs causing major headaches". BusinessTech. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "South Africa introducing visa reforms to boost economy, says minister". Reuters. 3 October 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.