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CoCT urges clarity on remote work visas amid system crisis

Source: City of CT, 13/05/2024

The City of Cape Town has called on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to address the visa system crisis and confusion over remote work visas.
James Vos, the City’s Mayco member for economic growth, says the department ‘shot itself in the foot’ with the premature gazetting and withdrawal of regulations.
‘On 28 March, the DHA published the amended immigration regulations. This, however, was a day before the closing date of the public comment period. And then, on 12 April, the minister issued a notice withdrawing the 28 March amendments.’
As reported by BusinessTech, the regulations replaced the critical skills list with a new points-based system and introduced the remote work visa category.
‘South Africa’s visa system is already infamously a mess and this latest bungle only serves as a reminder of the murk,’ Vos adds.
‘The hundreds of thousands of employees working in the tourism industry, not to mention those in need of jobs, can ill afford yet more chaos caused by the department.’
Vos says the tourism industry and businesses need clarity on the status of the remote work visas as delays could result in the loss of millions of rands of additional tourist spend.
‘Businesses in countless more industries are equally frustrated as the skilled staff they need are unable to get into the country due to unprocessed visas.’
He adds that industries such as business process outsourcing have noted that the current visa system hinders expansion and skills transfer. Others are experiencing challenges in acquiring visas for delegates, which meant that conferences and events had to be relocated to other parts of Africa.
The City has voiced its support for the remote work visa, noting that it could benefit the economy.
‘A fully functioning visa system would be a boon to our country’s economy, driving investments and jobs for millions of desperate South Africans,’ says Vos.
‘I urge President Cyril Ramaphosa to exert pressure on the department to get this done.’

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