Don’t Be Declared “Undesirable”

 

SA Visa -30-05-2022

 

Many tourists have been thrown into the deep end as Home Affairs implement South African visa changes overnight.

 

I’m sure by now many of you have read or heard about the recent rules that have come into effect for the SA Visa. After doing some research I decided to gather some information together to try and put your minds at ease and make sure you are aware of how to avoid being declared an “undesirable” person.

 

First… The changes.

90 Day Tourist Visa & Extensions

As before, upon arrival into South Africa you will receive a 90 day Tourist Visa (exemptions apply, please check the DHA website) or if you are from a visa requiring country sometimes only 15 day visa . This Visa has the option of a further 90 day extension (total 180 days), however at present these are not guaranteed and are quite difficult to get approved in time.

Extensions can be done via VFS Global, a visa facilitation company. Applications must be done online through the VFS website, by filling in an application form, scheduling an appointment and paying the relevant fee via EFT.

On the day of your appointment at VFS you will need to submit all documentation and have your biometric data recorded. You will be given a receipt that must be kept to collect your passport and documents IF your extension is granted.

Travelling With Children

Parents travelling with children under the age of 18 MUST carry an Unabridged Birth Certificate in addition to the child’s passport.

This applies to ALL travel… Inbound, Outbound and In Transit.

When a child is travelling with one parent, that parent in addition to the above must also have consent from the other parent in the form of an Affidavit or Court Order or in the case of the other parent being deceased, a Death Certificate.

If the child is travelling unaccompanied, proof of consent from both parents or if one parent, an Affidavit/Court Order/Death Certificate as stated above.

A letter from the person who will be receiving the child containing the residential address and contact details where the child will be residing, a copy of the Passport/Identity Document for the receiving person and lastly the contact details of the parents.

Second… The Problems

90 Day Tourist Visa & Extensions

Clients who wish to apply for the extension of a further 90 days must make application as soon as possible once arriving in South Africa. Processing time is currently taking approximately 60 days and longer.

If your application is not granted before your 90 days is up, you MUST leave South Africa within those 90 days or consult an immigration practitioner about other options . Persons who stay beyond that period will be declared “undesirable” and prohibited from re-entry into South Africa for:

• 1 year, if you overstay 30 days or less;

• 2 years, if you overstay for a second time within 24 months;

• 5 years, if you overstay more than 30 days.

Persons will also be banned at the airport on departure.

These bans can be appealed but can take months, be expensive and have no guarantee of a positive outcome.

“Border Hopping” (travelling into neighbouring countries for short periods and re-entering South Africa) is no longer allowed.

Persons who come in for 6 months every year, “Swallows” are advised to apply for the 4 Year Tourist Visa

Please note: There is NO GUARANTEE that your application for a Visa Extension will be granted and no refund is applicable if the application is denied. So use an immigration practitioner

Travelling With Children

Travel will not be permitted at all if the documentation needed is not provided. This stands when leaving your home country or South Africa when travelling with children under the age of 18.

 

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

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Alternatively , please contact us on :

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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

 

Criminal Record – Visa Stuck – Paid an AOG ( Admission of Guilt ) fine – We can remove it .

 

 Sa Migration – 30/05/20222

 

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no doubt that the expungement laws in South Africa can be confusing and convoluted. Our goal at Sami is to provide a one stop resource for South African expungement information.
Here is a list of the most common frequently asked questions about removing a criminal record:

 

• Do I qualify to remove my criminal record?

 

• Is it legal to remove my criminal record?

 

• What is expungement?

 

• Why is an expungement firm essential?

 

• Why is expungement important?

 

• Who is eligible for the standard 10 year expungement?

 

• What if I have multiple convictions?

 

• What can I expect from Sami?

 

• What are the benefits of getting my criminal record expunged?

 

 • How many applications are successful?

 

• What if I have already applied?

 

• How long does it take?

 

• Is there a way to speed up the expungement process?

 

• I don't qualify for the standard 10 year expungement, what other options do I have?

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

 

 • Alternatively , please contact us on :

 

 Sa Migration International

 

 • Tel No admin : +27 (0) 64 126 3073

 

Tel No sales : +27 (0) 74 0366127 Fax No : 086 579 0155

 

 

REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS PERMIT Change To Temporary Residence

SA Migration – 30/05/2022

Major News and hope : We are one of the few organisations getting Emptions & waivers approved !!!!
Apply Now for Temporary and Permanent Residence even with EXPIRED LOCKDOWN PERMITS
The Constitutional Court in November last year handed down a judgement in the Ahmed matter as well as a Court Order opening the door for Asylum Seekers and Refugees to apply to change their status to that of a mainstream Visa under The Immigration Act.
The Department has issued a Directive empowering the VFS offices (representing Home Affairs ) elsewhere to take in any application for a change of status and any waiver that may be required from an Asylum Seeker Temporary Visa or Formal Recognition Permit.
Further, it is important to note that not just any holder of an Asylum Seeker Temporary Visa or Formal Recognition of Refugee Status can apply for either a Temporary or Permanent Residence. They would first
have to qualify in the applicable category of a mainstream visa under the Immigration Act,
Under the new rules they don’t have to cancel their asylum or refugee status and can change to any visa class if they qualify from within South Africa.

www.samigration.com

R e c o g n i s ed R e f u g e e ( S e c t i o n 2 4 P e r m i t )

This means that :

SaMigration- 30/05/2022

A refugee can apply for permanent residence if he or she has been living in South Africa on a refugee status permit for a minimum of five consecutive years.143 For a recognized refugee to receive a permanent residence permit, the standing committee for refugee affairs must have certified that that person will remain a refugee “indefinitely.”

On March 30, 2004, the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs published a decision intended to circumscribe the conditions under which certification shall be issued, namely: “…Where the appellant is likely to remain a refugee for the foreseeable future and the “foreseeable future” should be one year.”

Once the South African government has awarded you refugee status. The government will issue you with an identity card which shows that you are a refugee. You will be issued with a renewable Refugee Permit which is referred to as a Section 24 Permit.
You will be entitled to apply for a United Nations Travel Document tha tallows you to travel to any country except your country of origin. Should you travel to your country of origin for any reason, the South African government will stop recognising you as a person in need of protection. You will therefore cease to be a refugee. By voluntarily going back to your country of origin, you will be indirectly saying that you are safe there, hence you will no longer deserve protection or refugee status. Refugees have the right to work and enjoy most of the rights in the South African Constitution except the right to vote.

It is possible for refugees to eventually get a South African passport after a long period of time, which will entitle you to travel anywhere in the world including your country of origin should your fear of harm disappear. This will also entitle you to have a South African identity card and to be able to vote.

 

www.samigration.com

 

 

 

The shopping malls where you’ll soon be able get your Smart ID or passport in South Africa

Businesstech -  30 May 2022

Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced a complete revamp of his department’s systems in a move to cut down on long queues, including plans to introduce branches in shopping centres.

Presenting his departmental budget speech on Tuesday (24 May), Motsoaledi said that while his department is in the process of building new branches, the introduction of Home Affairs outlets inside shopping malls will provide for ‘immediate relief’ in areas which already have high footfall.

“Operating Home Affairs offices at malls will obviate the problem of queuing in the sun or rain. Malls will also provide convenient and safe parking for clients,” he said.

Motsoaledi confirmed that discussions are already underway with the following shopping malls around the country:

• Menlyn Mall in Tshwane
• Cresta Mall in Johannesburg
• Southgate Mall in Johannesburg
• The Pavillion in eThekwini
• Tygervalley Mall in Cape Town

“Since the malls still have to move some tenants around to make way for Home Affairs, we will install our equipment there around September this year. We shall start with the Menlyn Mall in Pretoria and then roll out to the rest,” he said.

Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS)

Motsoaledi also confirmed that his department was expanding its new online booking system called BABS (Branch Appointment Booking System).

The system, which is presently being piloted in 24 of the busiest offices,  will be rolling out this system to more outlets in the coming months, he said.

“The pilot started in December last year at the Byron and Akasia offices in a hybrid model allowing booked and walk-in clients.  A total of 33 463 people have used the system between December 2021 and 13 May 2022.

“Apart from making sure that there are no queues in the Home Affairs offices where it is implemented, the BABS system will help eradicate corruption by making sure that those who practice the obnoxious behaviour of selling queue spaces have no clients because clients book straight online and come at the appropriate time, and hence they have no need to buy space from anybody in the queue.”

www.samigration.com