South Africa’s new minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, says that the department is making headway in reducing its massive visa backlog, which has been cut to around 213,000 applications.
Schreiber, who took over as minister as part of the Government of National Unity in June, said that the department has set up a dedicated team to reduce the backlog and has cut through 92,886 applications out of a total of 306,042.
“This is a reduction of 30%. But we must do more because clearing this backlog is the only way to avoid another extension of the concession on visas, waivers and appeals that have already been granted three times,” he said.
One of Schreiber’s first acts as minister of Home Affairs was to extend the temporary concession for foreign nationals awaiting the outcomes of their visa, waiver, and appeal applications.
Long-term visa holders in South Africa have thus been given legal permission to remain in South Africa until 31 December 2024.
The reported number of visas in the backlog is significantly higher than the figures presented by former minister Aaron Motsoaledi earlier this year.
In May, Motsoaledi said that the backlog was at 92,000 visas at the end of January 2024. This means that over 200,000 applications were added to the pile in the months that followed.
The former minister placed the blame on very specific visa categories, such as spousal and family visas, which required the department to engage in a lengthy verification process to ensure that the applications were legitimate.
“Applicants for relative and/or spousal permits wait as long as two years for their visa due to the requirement that their notarial agreements and other documents such as birth certificates, bank statements and marriage certificates submitted as proof of existence of a spousal or parental relationship are verified,” he said at the time.
Schreiber described the backlog as “abnormal”, saying that it needs to be brought under control as soon as possible. The previous administration set a target of clearing it by November 2024.
“This is an abnormal situation, and we must get this problem under control so that extensions are no longer necessary. For this reason, I have asked to be provided with daily reports on the state of the backlog until it is eradicated.”
Presenting the DHA’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Monday, Schreiber said Home Affairs was vital to ensuring that South Africa remains competitive and can generate rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth to create jobs.
He committed to executing the reforms established in president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Operation Vulindlela - where the focus for Home Affairs is increasing the availability of scarce skills in the labour market.
Projects already in place under this banner include the critical skills list changes seen over the past few years, as well as the new Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) and remote work visa changes.
The TES will allow major investors and large employers to follow a streamlined process in getting skills into the country with improved turnaround times, while the new remote visa will make it easier for foreign workers to set up and work temporarily from South Africa without falling ill of local tax laws.
However, Schreiber said that for South Africa to be effective in unlocking scarce skills and growing tourism to create jobs, Home Affairs must urgently clear the backlog in the processing of permits.

Schreiber said he would reach out to the departments, including the South African Police Service (Saps), for joint operations.
Leon Schreiber, minister of Home Affairs, during the swearing-in ceremony of the new national executive members at Cape Town International Convention Centre on 3 July, 2024 in Cape Town.
Home Affairs Leon Schreiber says in the coming year, the department will intensify inspections at restaurants, spaza shops, farms and mines by over 50% to take action, including deportations, against people who are illegally employed.
The initiative was started under his predecessor, Aaron Motsoaledi, who earlier this year called for harsher sanctions against business owners who knowingly employ undocumented foreigners.
Motsoaledi was speaking at a stakeholder engagement and service delivery monitoring session in Gqeberha in February.
“Anyone who knowingly employs an illegal foreigner or a foreigner in violation of this act shall be guilty of an offence and liable, upon conviction, to a fine or imprisonment not exceeding one year. Additionally, a second conviction of such an offence shall be punishable by imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine,” said Motsoaledi.
“A third subsequent conviction of such an offence shall result in imprisonment not exceeding five years without the option of a fine.”
At the time, Motsoaledi also confirmed that the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the Department of Small Business Development were collaborating to tighten laws to prevent undocumented foreigners from operating businesses in the country.
During the department’s budget speech on Monday, Schreiber said he would reach out to the departments for joint operations.
Home Affairs on immigration
Schreiber further said the department was working on the provision of smart ID cards to naturalised citizens.
He said 280 cards have been issued and another 697 were in progress.
“Once the system has been adjusted to verify compliant applications, all naturalized citizens will be able to visit any Home Affairs office equipped with live-capture facilities to apply for their smart ID cards,” he said.
Schreiber also announced that Home Affairs would urgently reactivate the Immigration Advisory Board. It will provide him with “evidence-based advice” on tackling matters, such as the process of consultation on the future of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP).
Last month, the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruled that Motsoaledi unlawfully terminated the ZEPs.
The court found that Motsoaledi had failed to consult with ZEP holders.
BMA deportations
Also last month, the Border Management Authority (BMA) deployed an additional 400 junior border guards, after an eight-month training programme.
The majority of the guards are deployed at Beitbridge to Zimbabwe, Lebombo and Kosi Bay to Mozambique and Maseru and Ficksburg to Lesotho.
Their tasks include addressing the scourge of illegal entry, the smuggling of illicit cigarettes, stolen high-value vehicles and stock theft.
To date, the BMA’s guards have intercepted and deported over 296,000 individuals who had attempted to enter the country illegally.
Over 303 vehicles were intercepted when criminals attempted to illegally take them out of South Africa.
“South Africa needs to do much more to combat illegal immigration. We must do so both because it is central to our national security. But also out of our commitment to economic growth,” said Schreiber.
“The reality is that no one will want to visit or invest if we allow our country to lose control over its borders and internal security. This problem needs to be tackled in a sustained, integrated and collaborative way,” he said.

South Africa’s ride-hailing market has grown considerably over the past several years, becoming a massive R7 billion industry with no signs of slowing down.

Vincent Lilane, Business Development Representative at inDrive, highlights that approximately 21% of South Africans now rely on e-hailing services, marking a substantial shift in urban transportation dynamics.

Despite this growth, the sector faces several critical challenges that could impede further development if left unaddressed.

Issues such as equitable pricing structures for drivers and passengers, concerns over passenger and driver safety, and the need for greater empowerment of drivers are among the key hurdles identified.

“Remember, drivers are the lifeblood of this industry, and their well-being directly impacts its success,” with many earning well below minimum wage,” said Lilane.

South Africa’s ride-hailing market, with an estimated R6.01 billion in revenue in 2023, is highly competitive. Strong local players such as Uber, Bolt, and inDrive to name a few are battling it out and itching for market dominance.

The industry itself is gearing up for further growth. By 2029, it is projected to reach R8.11 billion in annual revenue and serve a user base of around 14.5 million people, according to Statista.

Lilane said that this is “fueled by influences such as evolving customer preferences, unique local conditions, and underlying macroeconomic factors.”

“However, to unlock its full potential, the industry must address present challenges while simultaneously capitalising on growth opportunities,” he added.

Lilane said that doing so is likely to greatly maximise the ride-sharing industry’s job creation and GDP contributions, benefiting both the economy and people.

“By empowering drivers, prioritising safety, and embracing new possibilities, the e-hailing industry could serve as the driving force in shaping a transportation ecosystem that benefits all South Africans �` passengers, drivers, and businesses alike,” he said.

Pricing woes

Shedding light on a critical challenge for the ride-sharing industry, Lilane said that achieving fair pricing for both drivers and passengers is essential.

“The sad reality is that South African drivers tend to earn less than minimum wage (of R27.58 per hour),” said Lilane.

This is because their earnings are eroded by:

Rising fuel prices;
Vehicle rental fees;
The elimination of incentives and bonuses; and
Increased commissions for each transaction.

“Longer hours are often the only way to compensate, impacting driver well-being and potentially compromising safety,” said the inDriver representative.

While it is hoped that the recently enacted Economic Regulation of Transport Act (which looks to consolidate the economic regulation of transport within a single framework and policy) will positively impact their earnings, “drivers must be given more control over pricing,” said Lilane.

He said that this, in turn, will empower them “to achieve sustainable incomes and economic stability.”

Lilane argues that driver control over pricing could also benefit passengers. “This would allow them to access more competitive fares, a critical factor during the current cost-of-living crisis where affordable transportation is a major concern,” he said.

Lilane also urges the ride-hailing industry to reintroduce and expand incentive programmes and bonuses as a way to reward drivers, especially with 85% reporting that these are essential for their earnings, that are already often well below minimum wage.

Safety issues

“The rapid growth of ride-hailing in South Africa has coincided with a concerning rise in threats to the safety of both drivers and riders across all operators in this space, tarnishing the reputation of the entire industry as a result,” said Lilane.

This has been taking effect in the headlines, with numerous reports of passengers being attacked, robbed and more by some drivers, while many drivers themselves have faced the same ill fate.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t unique to South Africa, as similar incidents are reported globally,” said Lilane.

There are various safety challenges in the industry, including that of insufficient driver background checks, lax enforcement of vehicle maintenance, and passenger harassment of drivers among others.

Lilane emphasises that there needs to be shared responsibility approach, such as offering in-app support for both parties to address any violations promptly.

New frontiers for e-hailing

Liliane noted that e-hailing can extend beyond passenger services in South Africa to significantly impact the freight and cargo sector, especially in underserved remote areas.

He said that by leveraging technology and networks, these platforms could offer dependable cargo transport, opening new revenue opportunities for drivers and enhancing the country’s logistics infrastructure.

One day after he was sworn in as the new Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber made a range of announcements regarding extending temporary visa concessions and other arrangements affecting legal foreign nationals in South Africa.
It drew attention to him as one of the six new ministers of the DA in the Government of National Unity (GNU). Eleven new ministers were appointed from the DA, PAC, IFP, Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Freedom Front Plus and two from the ANC in the GNU.
Most of them have parliamentary but not ministerial experience. It, therefore, becomes a question of how long it will take for them to master the intricacies of parliamentary procedures and their executive responsibilities.
Schreiber was highlighted as one who started quickly, but what awaits him down the line?
He is qualified in political science and, in 2018, published a book on coalitions in South Africa. Until this year’s election, he was the DA spokesperson of public services and administration and, in that capacity, launched several court cases against the ANC to reveal information on its cadre deployment policy.
Now as the Home Affairs minister, his academic knowledge must assist him in a post that has become a hot issue globally: the growing antagonism against refugees, illegal immigrants and foreigners in general.
The right-wing populism in Europe against refugees from the Middle East and North Africa has changed the politics in countries like Hungary, Türkiye, France, the Netherlands and Spain. The American election later this year will also be influenced by this factor.
In the recent national election, the PA, Operation Dudula and others linked themselves to these immigration sentiments. Only the EFF distanced itself from it. The election indicated to government leaders that a clearer policy on immigration and managing of illegal economic immigrants in South Africa are urgent priorities.
Schreiber will have to be the architect of that approach.
Home Affairs is a key ministry and department because it manages the demographic aspects of the population. For most other ministries, from a planning point of view, Home Affairs and Statistics SA are pivotal components of a system that must manage many civic services related to the population.
The first is to maintain the National Population Register which must be aligned to managing all birth, marriage and death records. The department must also determine and grant South African citizenship.
One institution for whom the Home Affairs functions have been important in recent times is the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The department must keep the IEC regularly informed of all the deaths of registered voters and persons who have lost their citizenship. They will automatically be removed from the national voters roll.
Also part of the department’s civic services is its task to issue travel documents, passports and IDs to South African citizens and permanent residents. The challenges the department and Schreiber will have to contend with in this respect are unreliable government ICT infrastructure, long queues at Home Affairs offices and corruption in the process of issuing the documents.
Online applications and the use of bank branches have improved the situation. Investigations by the Special Investigative Unit and other components of the criminal justice cluster are slowly exposing syndicates and departmental officials, increasing Home Affairs’ integrity.
In addition to its civic services, the department’s second main function is managing immigration admissions into South Africa. It includes determining the residency status of foreigners. Extensions of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit or the extension of temporary visa permits are two examples of a range of immigration hot potatoes.
In 2022, as part of Operation Vulindlela, the work visa review was conducted under the leadership of a former director-general, Dr Mavuso Msimang. It concentrated, in particular, on the category of visas for high-level skills. Most high-growth economies depend on an inflow of foreign high-level skills.
In the past, this visa category was politically contested and, therefore, South Africa requires a pro-active policy approach in this respect.
The former minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, recognised the policy need and therefore requested the 2022 review. Schreiber will have to take it further and identify the best practices used by countries like Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US and other countries in exploiting skills.
Directly relevant for immigration and refugee management is the management of South Africa’s international borders.
In October 2023, the Border Management Agency (BMA) was launched to ensure that immigration laws and regulations were upheld. It will be the third armed force in South Africa after the military and police, responsible for border law enforcement, while the SANDF is responsible for border protection.
The BMA is an autonomous agency with its commissioners, but the Minister of Home Affairs serves as its executive authority.
Border management is not limited to the BMA. Schreiber will also be the chair of the inter-ministerial consultative committee on border management, which will include the other portfolios also involved in border management such as the SA Revenue Service, the Department of Agriculture, SANDF, SAPS and Transport.
The key to a better functioning Home Affairs will be good communication and understanding between the ministry and the department.
Key policy adjustments will be expected, while the department will have to incorporate the most advanced ICT infrastructure which can reduce the long queues at its offices and reduce the human factor in processing of documents, especially of illegal foreigners.

passport holders can travel without visas to 35 African nations, 18 countries in the Americas, 17 in Asia, 16 in the Caribbean, 3 in Europe, 8 in the Middle East and 10 in Oceania. However, recent changes to visa regulations, such as Ireland’s adjustment, have reduced their global influence. South Africans should stay informed about evolving visa regulations to make the most of their passport’s opportunities.
What visa-free travel destinations are available for South African passport holders?
South Africans can travel without a visa to 35 African nations, 18 countries in the Americas, 17 in Asia, 16 in the Caribbean, 3 in Europe, 8 in the Middle East and 10 in Oceania. However, recent changes to visa regulations for South Africans, such as Ireland’s adjustment, have reduced their global influence. It is important for South Africans to stay informed about evolving visa regulations.
Remarkable Changes in Visa Regulations for South Africans
In a surprising deviation from usual diplomatic practices, South African citizens will now have to acquire a visa to enter Ireland, a destination they were previously able to access without one. The Irish Department of Justice has, as of July 10, adjusted its visa prerequisites for South African passport holders. This adjustment has not only altered the travel patterns for South Africans but also necessitates a transit visa for those planning to travel through Ireland to another location.
This significant adjustment modifies the global influence of the South African passport. According to the Henley & Partners Passport Index, South African passport holders can now only access 107 countries without a visa, a discernible reduction in their ‘passport power’.
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Visa-free Travel Destinations for South Africans
To give a more detailed understanding, let’s examine the specifics: South Africans can travel without a visa to 35 African nations, 18 countries in the Americas, 17 in Asia, 16 in the Caribbean, 3 in Europe, 8 in the Middle East and 10 in Oceania. Even though the list is still extensive, Ireland’s departure from this list represents a symbolic blow to South Africa’s global image.
Within Africa, South African tourists still have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to nations such as Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo*, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The asterisks signify countries offering visa on arrival.
Exploring the Americas and Asia with a South African Passport
In the Americas, South African passport holders can visit countries like Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia*, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, and Panama without a visa. Bolivia, notably, offers visa on arrival.
In Asia, 17 countries continue to welcome South Africans, including Armenia, Cambodia, Georgia, Hong Kong (SAR China), Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka* and the Russian Federation. The double asterisks denote countries that provide electronic travel authority (ETA).
South African Passport’s Influence in Europe, Middle-East, and Oceania
The Caribbean remains open, with countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands still providing visa-free access.
However, Europe seems to be an area where the South African passport has lost considerable strength, permitting visa-free entry only to Kosovo, the Russian Federation, and the British Virgin Islands.
In the Middle East, countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Territory provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to South Africans. On the other hand, Oceania features countries like Fiji, Micronesia, Cook Islands, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the Marshall Islands that permit visa-free or visa-on-arrival visits.
The Current State and Future Implications
This comprehensive overview of destinations South African passport holders can visit without a visa mirrors the current standing of South Africa’s global reach. It attests to the reality that change is the only constant, particularly in international relations. The recent development involving Ireland may be a setback, but South Africa’s overall global influence remains broad, giving its citizens a plethora of opportunities to explore.
However, this change serves as a reminder for South Africans about the ever-evolving nature of international visa regulations, prompting them to stay up-to-date and ready for future adjustments. After all, being well-informed is crucial when traversing the intricate terrains of global travel.
1. What visa-free travel destinations are available for South African passport holders?
South Africans can travel without a visa to 35 African nations, 18 countries in the Americas, 17 in Asia, 16 in the Caribbean, 3 in Europe, 8 in the Middle East and 10 in Oceania.
2. What recent changes to visa regulations have affected South Africans’ global influence?
Ireland has adjusted its visa prerequisites for South African passport holders, requiring them to acquire a visa to enter Ireland. This adjustment has reduced South Africa’s global influence, according to the Henley & Partners Passport Index.
3. Which African nations allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for South African tourists?
South African tourists can enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 35 African nations, including Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
4. What are some of the visa-free travel destinations available for South African passport holders in the Americas and Asia?
In the Americas, South Africans can travel without a visa to countries such as Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, and Panama. In Asia, they can visit countries like Armenia, Cambodia, Georgia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and the Russian Federation.
5. Which regions have limited visa-free access for South African passport holders?
In Europe, South Africans can only enter Kosovo, the Russian Federation, and the British Virgin Islands without a visa. The Middle East permits visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to South Africans in countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian Territory. Oceania features countries like Fiji, Micronesia, Cook Islands, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the Marshall Islands that permit visa-free or visa-on-arrival visits.
6. Why is it important for South Africans to stay informed about evolving visa regulations?
The recent adjustment to Ireland’s visa prerequisites for South African passport holders serves as a reminder that visa regulations are constantly evolving. Staying informed about these changes is crucial when traveling globally to ensure that South Africans can make the most of their passport’s opportunities.