Low-skilled Zimbabweans struggle to qualify for SA visas as deadline for expiry of exempted permits looms
13 July 2022 Times Live
Many believe SA government is pushing them back to Zimbabwe by doing away with special permits
Thousands of low-skilled Zimbabwean nationals are finding it difficult to qualify for visas and many believe the SA cabinet's decision to do away with the special exemption permit is aimed at pushing them out of the country...
SA Visa - Visitors Visa
SA Migration 13/July/2022
The maximum duration for this Visa is 3 months. If a longer stay is required the applicant must apply in advance abroad or he can extend the visitor’s Visa locally, confirming the purpose of stay.
A valid return air / bus ticket, proof of sufficient financial means, the application fee andmust be accompany an application for extension. Pease note that a visitor’s Visa can only be extended once for a maximum of 3 months.
Please be aware that all extensions and changes need to be applied for 30 days before expiry of the current Visa. Missing the cut-off date without demonstration of good cause (e.g. illness, accident) will mean that you have to leave South Africa.
Countries exempt from South African visas:
The exemptions pertain to ordinary, diplomatic and official passport holders. Official visits (on invitation of the South African Government) and accreditation for holders of diplomatic and official passport holders are not dealt with here.
Visas are not required by citizens of the following countries for the periods and subject to the conditions indicated:
Holders of South African passports, travel documents and documents for travel purposes.
Holders of passports of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands as well as the Republic of Ireland are totally exempt from South African visa control and thus do not require visas for any purpose regulated by visas.
Please Note:
Angola: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits
Antigua and Barbuda: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding
30 days and transits
Argentina: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days
and transits
Australia: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Austria: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Barbados: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits
Belgium: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Belize: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits
Benin: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits
Bolivia: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits
Botswana: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
Brazil: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days and
transits
Canada: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Cape Verde: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
Chile: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days and
transits
Costa Rica: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
Cyprus: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits. Diplomatic and official passport holders visiting the RSA for holiday
purposes are exempt for 90 days.
Czech Republic: Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday
visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
Denmark: Bona fide holiday and business visits only (period unspecified) and transits
Ecuador: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 90 days and transits
Egypt: Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits
not exceeding 30 days and transits
Finland: Bona fide holiday & business visits only
(period unspecified) and transits
France: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Gabon: Bona fide holiday & business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits
Germany: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Greece: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Guyana: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits
Hong Kong: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits This exemption is only with regard to holders of
Hong Kong British National - Overseas (BNO) passports, Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports and Hong Kong Certificates of Identity.
Hungary: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits Diplomatic and official passport holders visiting the RSA for holiday
purposes are exempt for 120 days.
Iceland: Bona fide holiday & business visits only
(period unspecified) and transits
Israel: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days and
transits
Italy: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period unspecified)
and transits
Jamaica: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 90 days and transits
Japan: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period unspecified)
and transits
Jordan: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits
Lesotho: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits
Liechtenstein: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Luxemburg: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period unspecified)
and transits
Macau: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits This exemption is only with regard to holders of
Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR).
Malaysia: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
Maldives: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
Malta: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days and
transits Malta: Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday
visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
Mauritius: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits
Mexico: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits
Morocco: Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits
Namibia: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits
Netherlands (Kingdom of the): Bona fide holiday and business visits only
(period unspecified) and transits
New Zealand: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Norway: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Paraguay: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 90 days and transits
Peru: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days and
transits
Poland: Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits
not exceeding 90 days and transits
Portugal: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Romania: Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits not exceeding 120 days and transits
San Marino: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 90 days and transits
Seychelles: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
Singapore: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
Slovak Republic: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30
days and transits
South Korea: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
Spain: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period unspecified)
and transits
St Helena: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days
and transits
St Vincent & the Grenadines: Bona fide holiday and business visits
not exceeding 90 days and transits
Swaziland: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days
and transits
Sweden: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Switzerland: Bona fide holiday & business visits only (period
unspecified) and transits
Thailand: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits
Tunisia: Holders of diplomatic and official passports for holiday visits
not exceeding 30 days and transits
Turkey: Bona fide holiday & business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits
United States of America: Bona fide
holiday and business visits only (period unspecified) and transits
Uruguay: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days and
transits
Venezuala: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 90 days and transits
Zambia: Bona fide holiday and business visits not
exceeding 30 days and transits
Zimbabwe: Bona fide holiday and business visits not exceeding 30 days
and transits. Only government officials, including police on cross border
investigation
South African Business Visa
SA Migration 13/July/2022
A business visa may be issued by the Department of Home Affairs to a foreigner intending to establish or invest in a business in South Africa in which he or she may be employed, and to members of such foreigners’ immediate family providing that certain requirements have been met.
The Act calls for investment of R5,0 million in a business and you need to make sure you employ 60% South African citizens or permanent residents to get both a temporary and permanent business visa, you can get these visas with less capital investment - sometimes for as low as R600,000 investment using our expert team at SA Migration.
Many businesses do not require a capital investment as large as R5 million and in certain cases, you are allowed to reduce this amount and commit to a smaller investment if your business falls within the certain industries. The following businesses to be in the national interest, and therefore qualifying for reduction or waiver of the capitalisation requirements as determined to be in the national interest in relation to a Business Visa: Many of these business owners do not have the required investment amounts. If this is the case and the business falls in line with one of the following industries, a capital waiver can be requested. This would mean a reduction in the required investment amount.
The industries are:
(a) Agro-processing
(b) Business Process Outsourcing and IT Enabled Services
(c) Capital / Transport equipment, metals and electrical machinery and apparatus
(d) Electro Technical
(e) Textile, Clothing and Leather
(f) Consumer goods
(g) Boatbuilding
(h) Pulp, paper and Furniture
(i) Automotives and Components
(J) Green Economy Industries
(jj) Power generation:
(jjj) Renewable Energy:
(k) Advanced Manufacturing
(l) Tourism infrastructure
(m) Chemicals, plastic fabrication and pharmaceuticals
(n) Creative and Design Industry
(o) Oil and Gas
(p) Mineral beneficiation
(q) Infrastructure Development
(r) ICT
List of undesirable Business in South Africa;
Our team of professionals at SA Migration International will assist you and help you to obtain your business visa for you.
South Africa is going through a very exciting stage at the moment and there is lots of opportunity to be involved in this emerging economy and the government welcomes anyone wishing to invest and create employment. Especially for small business owners, the markets are extremely lucrative and the government welcomes anyone who wants to invest.
ANC NEC raises concerns over challenges posed by migration in SA
EWN – 12 July 2022
South Africa’s growing agitation with undocumented African migrants has long been a prickly issue, that some in the ANC describe as an albatross around the party’s neck that must be resolved before the 2024 national elections.
JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee (NEC) members have raised concerns over challenges posed by migration in the country, with most praising Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s efforts in dealing with undocumented migrants.
Eyewitness News understands that NEC members have also expressed support in favour of the minister as NGO, the Helen Suzman Foundation, prepares for a legal battle against him over the decision not to renew the permits of hundreds of thousands of Zimbabwean nationals once they expire.
Affected permit holders will need to reapply for residency before the end of the year or risk being deported.
The ordinary meeting, which also dealt with Eskom, the Women’s League as well as the North West and Free State provincial conferences, wrapped on Monday.
South Africa’s growing agitation with undocumented African migrants has long been a prickly issue, that some in the ANC describe as an albatross around the party’s neck that must be resolved before the 2024 national elections.
Eyewitness News understands that a report to this effect was delivered at the NEC.
It's understood that members during the heated session suggested the tightening of its policies on this matter as some raised concerns around the impact of undocumented migrants on growing crime in the country.
Former President Thabo Mbeki, who is said to have been present, is believed to have cautioned members on their approach to the matter.
The leader, who is revered across the continent, is said to have called for the organisation to be sensitive when dealing with this issue warning against unintended consequences.
This growing tension around undocumented migrants has seen parties who promote tighter border controls and trade regulations gain popularity.
Home Affairs thrusts looming ZEP expiration under the spotlight
EWN – 12 July 2022
Clement Manyathela spoke to Home Affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi about the termination of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits and the establishment of the Border Management Authority.
The Department of Home Affairs is serious about introducing the Border Management Authority (BMA) in South Africa.
It has been almost twelve months since the expiry of the special Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) was announced.
In November, the government announced the decision to discontinue the ZEP.
The looming expiration of the ZEP has many Zimbabweans fearing deportation.
This will affect some 178 000 Zimbabwean immigrants in the country.
WHAT WILL THE BMA DO?
According to the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa has been facing challenges with border control.
He cited the country's porous borders as the reason for the special border authority being established.
The minister said the BMA sought to comprehensively control the country's borders with support from immigration control, customs control, the South African Police Service, the South African army, the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs, the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Health.
The BMA will, thus, will have these entities operate under a single structure controlled and monitored by an overall commander which Motsoaledi said would help with accountability issues at the border.
In terms of operations, what happens at the border every day, you'll now have a commissioner who's going to be bugging commands. That's the main difference we need the Border Management Authority, as against the multi-agency method which we are using, now... You'll know exactly who to go to. You're not thrown from pillar to post.
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minster of Home Affairs
THE FORMATION OF THE 1998 REFUGEE ACT
When the Refugee Act was established in 1998, Motsoaledi says that it was formed under misinformed assumptions about how the borders need to be managed based on the number calculated at the time of its formation.
This assumption came under scrutiny after the world went into a recession in 2008 with the Home Affairs minister estimating that the number of refugees surged from 16 000 in 1998 to upwards of 200 000 in 2008 and a further 200 000 in 2009 alone.
This prompted a reboot of the Refugee Act to accommodate the evolution of the situation to deal with the shock to the country's refugee apparatus, something Motsoaledi says has taken Parliament 10 years to pass the revised act.
It shocked the whole immigration system, the refugee apparatus, as I've called them. It shocked them. They were overwhelmed... The normal mechanism of dealing with refugees was overrun, it was overwhelmed... So, the Department of Home Affairs, then, said 'no, let's have a special dispensation outside the normal existing laws and mechanism to accommodate this present situation. It will give us time to reboot, re-plan afresh'.
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minster of Home Affairs
THE MISGUIDED IMPACT OF THE REFUGEE ACT
So why was the design of the Refugee Act so unsuccessful in controlling the country's borders?
Motsoaledi argues that this is due to the act being designed, not by South African conditions, but under the United Nations Convention of 1951 and the Organisation of African Unity Protocol of 1969. This act, he laments, was only designed four years after the establishment of democracy in the country.
The act divided incoming immigrants into separate permit sections:
All those processes were designed four years after democracy when there was no thinking of an avalanche, or a large number of people who were economic migrants. That's why in the Immigration Act, in the Refugee Act, or even in the United Nations Convention, itself, the issue of economic migration was never mentioned. It doesn't appear.
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minster of Home Affairs
THE FUTURE FOR ZIMBABWEAN IMMIGRATION MOVING FORWARD
So what does this, ultimately, mean for Zimbabwean immigrants without legally documentation of their refugee status in the light of the ZEP?
This, according to Motsoaledi, is more complex than people may realise.
The minister laments that the ZEP is a specialised permit for Zimbabweans designed to legitimise their stay in the country.
The different conditions that may warrant a permit have seventeen different permits which provides immigrants with more than the scarce skills permit to apply for.
There are 17 different permits that home affairs can issue to immigrants. They include the scarce or critical skills visa, a study visa, a visitors visa, a relatives visa, a general work visa, a retirement visa, a temporary residency visa, and a permanent residency visa.
Motsoaledi said from January 2021 to December 2021, Zimbabwean immigrants account for 38% going to scare and critical skills visas, 25% going to study visas, 15% going to general working visas, and 14% going to relative visas.
This could possibly be the reason that the ZEP exists in the first place, which Motsoaledi advocates should give Zimbabwean immigrants something to ease their minds, particularly due to scarce skills not being the only condition for them to be granted legal immigration status.
You look at which [condition] is suitable for you... I mentioned, in January, that this is an advantage for certain people because when they were given a special permit [previously], there was a clear condition that you were not to apply for any other. Even if you get married, you can't apply for citizenship which is unfair