Police seized hundreds of documents and equipment used for forgery; she faces fraud and forgery charges in court.
• A 25-year-old woman was arrested in Johannesburg for running a fake Home Affairs operation, producing passports, IDs, and visas from her rented flat.
Police have arrested a woman suspected of running a fully functioning Department of Home Affairs from a rented flat in Berea, Johannesburg.
The 25-year-old woman was found in possession of hundreds of passports from different countries, South African birth certificates, ID cards and green books, work permits, visas and travel documents.

Police also discovered hard drives, computers, scanners, printers, and other machines used to manufacture the illegal documents.
The South African-born woman of Congolese descent was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after police received a tip-off about dodgy dealings at a residential flat.
The operation was conducted by SAPS and Gauteng Traffic Police officers. When police arrived at the flat, the suspect was busy on the system making more documents.

A source close to the case told Scrolla.Africa that when police stormed the flat, she tried to destroy some of the documents, but it was too late.
Officers found passports from different countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), different visa permits, passport hologram plastic, and many other documents.

The woman, born in South Africa to parents from the DRC, was arrested on the spot and detained at Hillbrow police station.
She will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court soon to face fraud and forgery charges.

This is not the first major breakthrough from Hillbrow SAPS where a suspect was arrested for a similar crime.
In April 2022, Hillbrow SAPS arrested a Zimbabwean man for operating another backyard ‘Home Affairs’.
The man faced 241 charges, including fraud, forgery and alteration, and was sentenced last year to 15 years’ direct imprisonment.

How can we help you , please email us to info@samigration.com whatsapp me on:
+27 82 373 8415, where are you now? check our website : www.samigration.com

Please rate us by clinking on this links :
Sa Migration International
https://g.page/SAMigration?gm

Sa Migration
https://g.page/Sami-HQ?we
Alternatively , please contact us on :
Sa Migration International

Whatsapp Tel No : +27 (0) 82 373 8415

Tel No office : +27 (0) 82 373 8415 ( Whatsapp )
Tel No admin : +27 (0) 64 126 3073
Tel No sales : +27 (0) 74 0366127
Fax No : 086 579 0155

www.samigration.com

How can we help you?
Please email us to info@samigration.com
Whatsapp message us on: +27 82 373 8415

Where are you now?
Check our website : www.samigration.com

Please rate us by clinking on this links :
Sa Migration Visas
https://g.page/SAMigration?gm


Get More Info By Following Our Page: https://www.youtube.com/@samigration

The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa offers foreign nationals the opportunity to retire in this beautiful country by applying for a Retired Person’s Visa. This guide provides all the essential information you need to know about obtaining a retirement visa for South Africa.

Overview: What is a Retired Person Visa?

The Retired Person Visa is a temporary residence visa that allows foreign retirees to live in South Africa for 1 to 4 years. This visa permits a longer stay than a tourist visa but does not grant permanent residence. However, after meeting specific requirements, applicants may become eligible to apply for permanent residency.

Benefits of a Retirement Visa

There are numerous advantages to obtaining a retirement visa in South Africa, including:

• Lower Living Costs: South Africa offers a lower cost of living compared to many first-world countries.

• Favorable Climate: Enjoy beautiful weather and escape the harsh winters of many European countries.

• Affordable Medical Care: Benefit from the cost-effective healthcare system.

• Favorable Exchange Rate: Enjoy a more favorable exchange rate.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a retirement visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Income Requirements: Minimum ZAR 37,000.00 per applicant or couple.

• Clear Criminal Record: Provide a police clearance certificate (background check).

• No Age Requirement: There is no age requirement according to the South African Immigration Act.

Accepted Forms of Income

The Department of Home Affairs accepts the following income sources:

1. Irrevocable Retirement Annuities: Lifelong retirement payments.

2. Pension Fund: Monthly pension income.

3. Income From Assets: Income from rental properties, interest payments, or dividend income.

o Note: The ZAR 37,000.00 requirement can be met through a combination of these income sources.

Important Considerations

• Income Verification: Applicants must present pension or retirement income statements, asset income statements (e.g., rental agreements), and bank statements showing the income.

• Spouse and Family: The ZAR 37,000.00 requirement applies to married couples, with one applicant as the main visa holder and the other as an accompanying spouse.

Criminal Record and Minor Transgressions

Applicants must provide a police clearance certificate to ensure they do not pose a risk to South African citizens. Minor transgressions, such as a DUI from many years ago, may not disqualify an applicant if proof of rehabilitation is provided.

Application Process

Applicants must apply from their country of residence as applications within South Africa are not allowed. The steps include:

1. Gather Required Documents: As specified by the South African embassy.

2. Contact the Embassy: Secure an appointment if required.

3. Submit Application: Provide the complete application package and pay the visa fees.

o Pro Tip: Use provisional flight tickets to avoid losing money if the visa is rejected.

Visa Validity and Processing Time

The visa is valid for 1 to 4 years, depending on the source and stability of income. Processing times can vary from 30 to 90 days, with some cases taking up to 6 months. Applicants should confirm timeframes with the South African embassy.

Including Spouse and Children

Applicants can include their spouse and children. Each dependent child needs an additional financial assurance of ZAR 8,500. Children of school-going age will require a student visa to attend school in South Africa.

What If Your Visa Is Rejected?

If rejected, review the rejection letter to understand the reasons. It's often better to redo the application from scratch rather than appealing abroad.

Permanent Residency Eligibility

Retirees with a pension or retirement annuity can apply for permanent residency. Those with passive income from assets or investments are not eligible. Applications for permanent residency can be submitted within South Africa.

Renewal of Retirement Visa

The retirement visa can be renewed within South Africa before it expires.

Working on a Retirement Visa

The retirement visa does not allow employment. To work, applicants must submit a waiver application justifying the need and proving no South African citizen or permanent resident can fill the position.

Benefits of Using an Immigration Consultant

Immigration consultants offer expertise, guidance, and a higher chance of approval. They can help avoid errors and navigate complexities, providing personalized advice and additional resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can UK/US / Congo / Nigerian Citizens Retire in South Africa? Yes, any foreign national can retire in South Africa if they meet the ZAR 37,000.00 per month requirement.

What Are the Conditions for a Retirement Visa in South Africa? Applicants need to receive a minimum of ZAR 37,000.00 per month.

Is South Africa a Good Place to Retire? Yes, South Africa is a favorable retirement destination with plenty of activities, such as visiting wine farms or exploring the garden route.

This comprehensive guide should assist you in understanding the retirement visa process and requirements for South Africa. If you have any further questions, consider consulting with an immigration expert for personalized advice

How can we help you , please email us to info@samigration.com or whatsapp message me on: +27 82 373 8415, where are you now? check our website : www.samigration.com

Please rate us by clinking on this links :

Sa Migration Visas

https://g.page/SAMigration?gm

The Department of Home Affairs’ proposed updated fee structure for the private sector’s use of its reformed digital verification system will generate over R2 billion in revenue.

That is according to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber’s response to a Parliamentary question about the adjusted fee structure.

“The expected revenue from this fee increase was projected to be R2.3 billion annually. R2 billion for online verification and R300 million from bulk verification services,” Schreiber said.

“The proposal is currently open for public consultation. Should the fee structure change following the public consultation process, the projection will also change.”

Schreiber’s feedback comes after Home Affairs rolled out a comprehensive upgrade to the digital verification system, which it says will significantly improve its efficiency.

The system enables government departments to verify client identities against the National Population Register using biometric features and will allow businesses in the financial sector to do the same.

Home Affairs said that the fees for the private sector to use the system will increase for the first time in over a decade.

However, public sector users, including government departments and agencies, are unaffected by the fee changes as government users are exempt from the charges.

Upon announcing the proposed fees, the department said this would allow it to balance the need to invest in the National Population Register while not negatively affecting public finances.

According to a recent notice published in the Government Gazette, the new fees are as follows:

Institution New fee

Any person or institution on behalf of, or on the written instruction of, any such person R10 per transaction

Any state department, municipality, or statutory body No fee

Any organisation, body, or institution whose main activity is insurance or banking R5,000 for 5,000 transactions or part thereof, and R10 per transaction

Any other organisation, body, society, or institution R5,000 for 5,000 transactions or portion thereof, and R10 per transaction

Upgrading the system

In his response, Schreiber said the system had previously been “plagued by problems,” with an error rate of 50% and delays of up to 24 hours.

Home Affairs previously described issues where the system would routinely take 24 hours to respond, and when it finally did, the responses were littered with errors requiring manual verification.

However, Schreiber says that, in addition to the initial upgrade, the fee increase will help strengthen the system over time through continued investment.

“Ongoing reforms will dramatically improve the quality of the department’s digital verification service,” Schreiber said.

“It will also raise the required funding to invest in a stronger, more secure and more effective Population Register.”

The upgraded system will help to reduce waiting times when clients require identity verification to obtain a social grant or open a bank account, Schreiber said in a separate comment.

He added that when the system is impaired, as it has been in the past, it negatively affects the ability of banks, insurance companies, and other financial service providers to verify clients and conduct business.

The minister said that this investment in the population register was overdue and an essential step in delivering on the vision of a digital identity system for South Africa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently also announced the country’s plans to invest in digital infrastructure to expand government service access during his State of the Nation Address in February 2025.

He said the changes would include revamping the gov.za platform and launching a digital identity system.

Ramaphosa added that the digital infrastructure investments would bolster the relationship between citizens and government while making government services “accessible to every person at a touch”.