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Big win for visas in South Africa

Source: Business News, 13/10/2023

South African corporations could soon have some respite as the Department of Home Affairs has taken a massive step in its attempt to make hiring foreigners easier.
In the 2022 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that South Africa would review its visa application system, which would make it easier for foreigners to travel to and work in the country, with the President’s task team Operation Vulindlela looking at ways to reduce red tape.
Businesses have flagged the long delays and the complex application process in getting visas for foreign workers.
This is a significant issue considering South Africa’s critical skills vacuum, with international workers seen as a short- and medium-term solution to the crisis.
The Department of Home Affairs has now offered a glimmer of hope, with it inviting corporate employers to submit an expression of interest in the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) pilot.
“The purpose of the TES system is to allow South Africa to more easily attract skills and manage immigration, particularly in the processing of applications for senior executives, technical personnel, corporate employees and investors,” the Department said in a government gazette.
To qualify for the pilot, a business must prove that it has the financial means to employ a foreigner, has training programmes for South African citizens and is a “good corporate citizen.”
The Department will use a 100-point system when it processes an application, with a score of 80 required to qualify for the scheme:
Factor Points
Pledges / Proven Investment 30
Employment 25
Sector 15
Skills Transfers / Development 20
Equity Equivalence 10
Total 100
“Within this programme, a business, investor or corporate employer will qualify for priority processing of their visa applications due to the reduced requirements and supporting documents,” the Department said.
“The TES membership will be acceptable for local applications and all South African High Commissions abroad. Current Corporate Account Clients are encouraged to apply.”
Companies will have until Monday, 20 November, to submit their interest to ben.makhalemele@dha.gov.za or at 012 406 4572.
Bad time for visas
The announcement will be a welcome relief to businesses in South Africa, as the work visa backlog has worsened in recent months.
Speaking at Xpatweb’s Global Mobility Breakfast in September, Acting Chief Director of Permits Phindiwe Mbhele said the Department of Home Affairs’ backlog had increased to 74,000.
Despite the Department saying that it expected to clear its backlog by mid-2024 at the earliest, the backlog increased from the 60,000 flagged by the Department in 2022.

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