The Department of Home Affairs has rolled out two major initiatives: the Remote Work Visitor Visa and a Points-Based Work Visa System, to transform South Africa’s visa regulations.
These changes follow President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to modernize the system, focusing on attracting foreign investment, boosting tourism, and creating jobs.
The Remote Work Visa allows foreign professionals to live in South Africa while working remotely for international companies, contributing to the local economy by spending foreign income within the country. This initiative is expected to stimulate sectors like tourism, hospitality, and retail, while ensuring these professionals do not compete with South African workers.
The Points-Based Work Visa System introduces clear and objective criteria for visa applicants, targeting critical skills and general work. This system seeks to curb corruption and streamline the visa process.
Notably, applicants for General Work Visas outside the Trusted Employer Scheme must meet an annual income threshold of R650,796, focusing on high-end skills to protect jobs in lower-income brackets.
Minister Leon Schreiber praised the reforms, calling them the most significant in decades. He noted that increasing skilled worker numbers could potentially raise the country’s economic growth by 1.2%, according to Reserve Bank research.
While the Department plans a fully digital application process, applicants can still apply through current service providers and South African missions abroad.
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