Migration may be an increasingly contentious issue in South Africa, but that does not justify taking an axe to refugee rights and chipping away at the country’s commitments under the United Nations’ 1951 Refugee Convention, as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) recently proposed alongside other immigration reforms.

Frustrations have risen across the board. Scapegoating of foreigners by officials has pushed many South Africans to blame migrants for their economic woes. Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers suffer from xenophobic attacks and a backlogged asylum system. Home Affairs minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi characterized current migration legislation as “unworkable,” citing some contradictions between existing laws.

Among the DHA’s proposals are that South Africa withdraw from the Refugee Convention and reaccede to it with reservations, cherry-picking which rights to respect. However, the need for immigration reforms does not give the government carte blanche to toss away its human rights commitments.

At a November 12 press conference, Motsoaledi claimed South Africa “does not have the resources to grant the socio-economic rights envisaged in the 1951 Convention.” Refugee rights to education and work are likely ones the DHA would put on the chopping block.

This would be a damaging backslide on South Africa’s commitments. In 2018, South Africa endorsed the Global Compact on Refugees, which builds on the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework. These instruments recognize the importance of refugee integration and inclusion, highlighting that access to education and labor markets promotes refugee self-reliance and contributes to local economies.

DHA is also proposing a “safe first country” rule that could deny asylum to people who transited through other countries en route to South Africa. However, without measures to guarantee impacted asylum seekers would be safe in those countries or have access to effective protection, such a rule would risk sending people to chain deportations and other harms, in violation of international law. For example, Greek authorities have sent back asylum seekers that transited Turkey, claiming it was “safe,” yet refugees and asylum seekers there suffered grave abuses and even deportation to Afghanistan, Syria, and other refugee-producing countries.

South Africa’s constitution proudly proclaims that it was founded on the values of human dignity and that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.” Officials should keep these values in mind ahead of the country’s 2024 elections and ensure immigration reforms protect, not undermine, refugee rights.

Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi caused some confusion this week by claiming that his department was not exacerbating South Africa’s skills crisis because there was no backlog of visas.

This comment came just a few weeks after the minister told parliament that the department was sitting with a backlog of over 74,000 visa applications that would only be cleared up by mid-2024.

In an interview this week, Motsoaledi dismissed criticism that his department is causing a skills crisis in the country by failing to process work-permit applications and said it’s becoming a “scapegoat” for the failures of business.

The minister said there’s no backlog of critical-skills applications and said his department is working expeditiously to process requests in the pipeline.

According to Marisa Jacobs, an immigration specialist at Xpatweb, the good news is that the minister is correct in saying there is currently no skills or work visa backlog.

Jacobs said the department has been fast-tracking applications that have been correctly submitted and are fully compliant.

“In stark contrast to the waiting periods for other categories, work visas and study visas are processed within four weeks by the Department of Home Affairs Head Office,” she said.

However, this does not mean that all is well with this category of visa, she said.

“Work visas submitted at the South African High Commissions and Embassies abroad are subject to their own processing times, and we are seeing inconsistent processing times depending on country of submission,” said Jacobs. 

This is amplified by many offices with a new rotation of officials in the immigration seat still settling in, combined with high volumes of applications pushing the processing times over the estimated period, causing frustration.

“There is also a higher rate of rejection, where Head Office processes the application and this means that the applicant must submit an appeal, causing a backlog on a work visa of more than 12 months,” she said.

The same can be said for waiver applications in support of a General Work Visa application, where the processing time is set at a minimum of 12 months.

“In summary, while work visas are prioritised, and we are consistently seeing good processing times – but there are a variety of exceptions, and this fuels frustration among expats,” Jacobs said.

Visa chaos is still there

Regarding the backlog of tens of thousands of visas, the bad news is that there is still a massive backlog, and several categories are impacted.

These include Permanent Residency applications, Waivers, Appeals, Retired person visas, and visitor’s visas for spouses and dependents.

While not related to work visas, these categories are experiencing an “unprecedented backlog”, where applicants can end up waiting 18 months or longer.

“These applicants are often deeply personally impacted by the backlog, and following a legal route is often the only way to get a legally correct outcome,” Jacobs said.

Motsoaledi told parliament this month that his department has developed a “backlog eradication plan” which aims to have the backlogs cleared by June 2024.

“The plan aims to move the older Temporary Residency Visas applications from 2022 concurrently with the current applications of 2023. This will be done by splitting the temporary residence visa team into two,” he said.

The same approach is being implemented for Permanent Residence Permits, he said.

“The plan includes the utilisation of current capacity in the Immigration Branch supported by the additional officials from other branches, including those in provinces. It also includes those officials who have returned from the Foreign Missions after serving their four-year deployment term.”

Other options to supplement existing capacity and resources are also being looked at and may be implemented should it be deemed necessary to do so to support the eradication plan.

“The Department is also reviewing the immigration permitting delegations as well as Standard Operating Procedures,” he said.

The Department of Home Affairs has published South Africa’s new draft white paper on citizenship, immigration, and refugee protection for public comment, proposing a complete overhaul of the country’s migration system.

Among the many changes in the lineup, the whitepaper briefly makes mention of South Africa’s critical skills list and justifies amendments made to the list in 2022, which trimmed down the number of positions advertised as critical.

The critical skills list was updated for the first time since 2014 in February 2022, sparking controversy in the medical field as most of the jobs cut from the list came from that sector.

The list was updated again in August 2022, which added 39 more occupations to the list, largely from the medical field seemingly in response to this criticism, although key jobs were still omitted.

While nurses and various medical and pharmacy specialists  and vets in the latest update to the list in October 2023 have been added to the list, general practitioners and doctors remain off the list.

The department acknowledged that there has been “fierce criticism” of the new list  mainly emanating from the professions that were cut.

“Normally, the Critical Skills List ought to be updated every four years due to the ever-changing skills shortage in South Africa,” the department said.

This, it said, justified the removal of medical doctors from the list as, at the moment, there is no shortage of South African medical doctors “at the undergraduate level”.

It added that removing certain professions from the list was fine because those occupations could still apply for other types of visas.

“The exclusion of certain professions/qualifications will not impact negatively on the economy as there are other visas such as business visa, relatives visa, work visa, corporate visa and intra-company visas, which foreign nationals may apply for,” the department said.

Visa disaster

While the department justifies it position in blocking out certain professions from attaining critical skills visas, this position is juxtaposed with the ongoing chaos in processing visa applications in South Africa including critical skills visa.

Simply put, even if professionals make use of the various visa paths mentioned in the whitepaper, a massive backlog and operational delays within the department make this route problematic.

Business surveys have already shown that companies are desperate for skilled workers, and delays at Home Affairs are causing nightmare scenarios for businesses that want to expand or thrive in South Africa.

According to Business Leadership South Africa chief executive, Busi Mavuso, a lack of critical skills is holding back the South African economy, and the problem isn’t being resolved with the necessary speed.

“There is a backlog of 74,000 applications for all kinds of visas at the Department of Home Affairs according to an official quoted by Bloomberg last month many of those in the scarce skills category.

“The backlog is staggering, a number in line with the headcount of some of South Africa’s biggest companies. If those skills were to suddenly be working in our economy, the impact would be significant,” she said.

While the CEO noted “anecdotal reports” that processing of applications at Home Affairs were improving, she said the backlog was a massive problem that needed to be address. Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi indicated that the backlog should be cleared by June 2024.

“The fact that companies can’t fill the positions means they can’t invest and expand. Expansion would enable much further employment, more tax to be generated, and the overall business environment to be greatly improved,” Mavuso said.

The BLSA lead said that changing immigration policy is a long process, but the government could score some quick wins by making room for visa categories like remote work visas. To address the staggering backlog, however, administrative changes need to be made.

“Business could help. The private sector has extensive administrative capacity that could be drawn on to process the backlog. While the procedures to do so would need to be determined, and staff capacity will need to be built through some training, the backlog could be resolved in a matter of months,” she said.

Turkey has emerged as a prominent tourist destination in recent years due to its diverse range of landscapes, vistas, and activities that ensure a memorable stay. As a result, an increasing number of Canadians are considering trips to Turkey. The implementation of the e-Visa system in 2013 has significantly simplified the visa application process for visitors from Canada. The requirements for obtaining a Turkey e-Visa for Canadian citizens are straightforward. Canada is among the countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for a Turkish electronic visa, commonly referred to as an e-Visa. Canadian citizens who wish to travel to Turkey for leisure or business purposes can easily apply for an e-Visa, which is also valid for transit through Turkey. The Turkey e-Visa Online is a single or multiple entry visa that allows for stays of up to 30 or 90 days depending on the passport holder`s nationality and is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. Canadian nationals seeking to work or study in Turkey must obtain a separate form of visa, which can only be obtained from a Turkish embassy or consulate in their home country. If you want to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days for business or pleasure, you need to apply for a long-term permit instead of the e-Visa. Since the Turkey e-Visa is electronically linked to the applicant`s Canadian visa, once approved, the passport must be presented upon entry into Turkey. Applicants from Canada must meet certain requirements in order for their Turkey e-Visa to be approved. The online application form is quick and easy to fill out and can be completed from the comfort of your own home.

TURKEY VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADIAN CITIZENS

• A Canadian passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the day Canadians arrive in Turkey.

• A current email address that is frequently used because you will receive all your information about the documentation process via email.

• You can use a debit or credit card to pay for the visa fee.

Turkey Visa Application Process

Turkey has opened its doors to international tourists, but those who are not from visa-exempt countries must obtain a visa in order to enter the country. Fortunately, eligible tourists can now conveniently apply for a Turkey e-Visa online, granting them the opportunity to stay in the Republic of Turkey for a maximum of three months. The Turkey e-Visa serves as a valid legal document that permits entry for individuals from specific countries. This e-Visa can be obtained by completing an online application form or at designated border crossings. It replaces the previously issued `sticker visa` and `stamp type` visas. Whether it be for travel, tourism, or business purposes, the e-Visa can be utilized accordingly. However, the duration of stay permitted with an e-Visa varies depending on the visitor`s nationality. A single or multiple entry visa is issued for 30 days, 60 days or 90 days, and all entries must take place within 180 days. All eligible travelers just need to have an internet connection to finish their Turkey e- Visa application. Types of Visas in Turkey: Tourist visa, Business visa, Student visa, Work visa. Determine the type of visa required for your trip. However, to apply for the Turkey e-Visa, the traveler can simply fill in the online form which takes only a few minutes. Please note that it may take 24 hours for the system to process your Turkish e-Visa applications.

Turkey Visa Application Process

• Check what type of Turkish visa you need to apply for.

• Find out when is the right time to apply.

• Check where to submit your Turkey visa application.

• Collect the required documents.

• Submit the application Wait for processing.

Requirements for Turkey Visa

• Have a passport valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of the stay in Turkey.

• A valid email address to receive the approved Turkey eVisa in their Inbox.

• You can use a credit or debit card to pay for the Turkey e-Visa fees.

Turkey Visa for South African Citizens

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the eVisa program in Turkey in 2013. As a result, the Turkish government now offers e-visas to citizens of more than 100 countries, including South Africa. Due to Turkey`s popularity among South Africans, individuals holding South African passports no longer need to visit the Turkish embassy to obtain a visa. Instead, they can conveniently apply for their visas online and receive them in a shorter period of time. Prior to their trip to Turkey, South African citizens can easily apply for an e-visa through the online platform. It is mandatory for South Africans to obtain a Turkish e-visa if they wish to visit Turkey for tourism, business, transit, or medical purposes. Turkey e-Visa is a multiple entry visa for South Africa that can be used to enter Turkey for 30 days. The Turkey e-Visa is valid for a total of 180 days from the date of issue. It allows South African visitors multiple entries into Türkiye, with each journey lasting up to 90 days. This Turkey e-Visa has been launched to allow visitors to easily obtain their visas online. The process is faster and more convenient than applying for a traditional visa. This can be done in minutes from your home or office without having to visit the local Turkish Embassy or Consulate.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR CITIZENS OF SOUTH AFRICA

• Passport getting a South African passport is quite easy these days, so you should be able to get one fast. Make sure that it is valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to enter this country.

• Email address your Turkey e-Visa will be linked to your passport electronically, but you still need a copy to show at the immigration office in Turkey. Make sure that you provide a valid address.

• Means of payment  You can use a credit or a debit card to pay for the eVisa fees.

Turkey Visa Types

A Turkey Visa grants you permission to enter Turkey and stay for a specific duration. It allows you to participate in various activities and, depending on the type of visa, even study or work. Certain visas also provide the opportunity to apply for a Turkish residency permit and reside in Turkey for at least one year. In order to enter Turkey, eligible individuals must complete the Turkey online e-Visa application form. Presently, the Turkish government offers e-Visas to citizens from more than 100 countries. The Turkey online e-Visa, which was introduced in 2013, is a visa that can be used for single or multiple entries and permits stays of either 30 or 90 days, depending on the passport holder`s nationality. Typically, Turkey e-Visas remain valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. The Turkish e-Visa, which replaced the previous `sticker visa,` was designed to speed up the visa application procedure, allowing tourists to save time when applying for a visa and entering the country. Travelers wishing to visit Turkey for other reasons, such as work or study, should apply at a Turkish embassy or consulate. Applicants from Turkey e-Visa approved nations must fill out an online eVisa application form with personal information and passport information in order to visit the country for tourist, business, or transit purposes.

Turkey Tourist Visa

The Turkish Tourist Visa enables individuals to visit Turkey for a specific duration of time for tourism-related activities such as exploring tourist attractions, spending holidays, or meeting friends and family members. However, it is important to note that the validity of tourist visas is limited to 90 days only.

Turkey Student Visa

If you plan to study in Turkey, you can obtain a Turkey Student Visa which will enable you to stay in the country for a specific period of time. This visa is applicable for those who wish to pursue an internship, take a course, or enroll in a school or university in Turkey. Once you have enrolled in a Turkish institution or school, you can apply for a Student Visa by submitting the letter of enrollment from your university or institution. To obtain a residency permit in Turkey, you must register with the Foreigner`s Branch of your local police department within 30 days of your arrival.

Turkey Work Visa

A Turkey Work Visa allows you to relocate to Turkey in order to work. Foreigners are not allowed to work in Turkey without a work visa and a work permit. Two months before your travel, you must apply for a Work Visa in Turkey. Send the document to Turkey`s Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), which will publish an updated list of these documents on its website in 90 days.

Turkey Transit Visa

A Turkey Transit Visa allows you to travel from one country to another via Turkey. If you intend to utilize Turkey as a transit country to your final destination and must pass through immigration or stay in Turkey overnight, you may need a visa.

Turkey Visa for Bahrain Citizens

Bahrainis can apply online for a Turkey e-Visa and travel to Turkey for holiday or business. Bahrain is among the countries that can issue a Turkish e-Visa. Bahraini nationals must obtain a visa to enter Turkey. Bahraini passport holders must apply for a Turkey e-Visa (Electronic Travel Authorization) regardless of the length of their trip, which can range from one day to 90 days. Citizens of over 100 countries can apply for an online Turkey visa, which is valid for 180 days after admission. The Turkish government offers different types of tourist visas depending on the purpose of the travel. The Turkish online visa, commonly known as the Turkish e-Visa, allows foreigners to enter the country. Additionally, transit visas are offered for quick stops in Turkey. For all other types of travel, such as studying or working in Turkey, it is necessary to obtain a traditional visa through an embassy or consulate. Travelers can apply online for a Turkey visa from Bahrain in minutes without having to contact an embassy or consulate.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY BAHRAIN CITIZENS

• A valid Bahrain passport valid for at least 90 days from the date of arrival.

• An email address to receive the approved Turkey visa in your Inbox.

• You can use a debit or credit card to pay for the Turkey eVisa fees from Bahrain