Immigration mess not foreign to SA

By Sowetan – 31 March 2022

Often news breaks of the arrest of home affairs officials and foreign nationals running one scam or another meant to bypass immigration laws.

When a police team pounced on a gang of robbers at The Hill, southern Johannesburg, a worrying dimension was added to the story. Police released the nationality of the men arrested in the raid, and it emerged that most of the thugs were foreign nationals.

Mention arrests  these days and  the subtext is “what nationality are they?” It speaks to a crisis those empowered to do something about seem to ignore  – the mess that is immigration in this country.

Often news breaks of the arrest of home affairs officials and foreign nationals running one scam or another meant to bypass immigration laws.

In an interview on Radio 2000 on Tuesday, home affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi spoke of the arrests of home affairs officials along with Pakistani and Somali nationals in connection with a scheme in which locals were hoodwinked and passports were issued in the name of foreigners. In the end locals lost their citizenship when they were  removed from the national registry for a quick buck. 

Many will recall how Motsoaledi came under fire recently and was labelled xenophobic simply for doing his job. Marches were even held to call for his sacking.

Sadly, the minister appears to be the odd one out, left to handle a problem that is nothing short of a crisis.

www,samigration.com

Portuguese Golden Visa: Ultimate guide to Portuguese citizenship

The South African – 31 March 2022

Are you planning to emigrate to Portugal? The Portuguese Golden Visa might be the best option for you. Here’s what you need to know to apply.

The ultimate guide to a Portuguese Golden Visa

The Portuguese Golden Visa enables third-country nationals to obtain a temporary residence permit to live and work in Portugal. 

Portuguese, EU and EEE nationals are not eligible for the Portuguese ARI/Golden Visa scheme.

Why you should apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa residence permit?

You are able to renew it if you stay physically in Portugal for a period of at least 7 days a year during the validity of your Golden Visa.

Advantages of applying for the Portuguese Golden Visa

• Very low minimum stays requirements in Portugal — a minimum of 35 days for 5 years.
• Family reunification.
• Residence visa waiver for entering Portugal.
• Visa exemption for travelling within the Schengen Area for 90 days out of 180.
• Applying for permanent residence after 5 years.
• Applying for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years.

Which family members can be added?

• Main Investor.
• Spouse (same sex is also qualified).
• Minor children.
• Adult children, financially dependent and single.
• Parents and parents in Law.

Portuguese Golden Visa Investment options available ?

All third-country citizens who invest in Portugal through one of the below-mentioned investment options are eligible, provided they fulfil the quantitative and the time requirements set out by law.

• Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1,5 million Euros.
• The purchase of real estate property with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros.
• The purchase of real estate property, with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for rehabilitation works, for a total value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros.
• Capital transfer of the amount of 500 thousand Euros, or higher, for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital fund of funds dedicated to the capitalization of companies, capital injected under the Portuguese legislation, whose maturity, now of the investment, is, at least, of five years and, at least, 60% of the investments is realized in commercial companies with head office in national territory.

How Dumont dos Santos can help you

Dumont dos Santos, have been assisting people for almost 5 years with immigration matters ranging from routine applications to the most complex immigration issues. Their experienced team has an in-depth understanding of the effect of possible changing legislation on immigration and is in the best position to provide you with the best solution to immigrate to Portugal.

Dumont dos Santos lawyers can help you with the following Portuguese Golden Visa steps:

1. Obtain the Portuguese tax identification Number (NIF).
2. Open a Portuguese bank account.
3. Complete the eligible investment (complete investment in the Fund, purchase real property, etc.).
4. Collect and certify the documentation necessary for the application.
5. Apply for the Golden Visa through the government portal.
6. Book the personal interview after SEF notification.
7. Attend the interview in person to submit original documentation and have the biometric data collected.

The total timeline from starting the process until obtaining Portuguese citizenship will be around 8 years, depending on the procedure time of the public entities.

www.samigration.com

South African Business Visa

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.

Female Home Affairs Official Bust At Marabastad Over Refugee R500 Bribe

Technical Financials - Mar 31, 2022

NO ROOM FOR GRAFT: Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi welcomes the arrest of a female official accused of taking a bribe

A home affairs department female officer allegedly caught taking a R500 bribe from a refugee who wanted to extend his asylum permit is expected to appear in court today.

The Refugee Status Determination Officer based at the Desmond Tutu Refugee Reception Centre in Marabastad, Pretoria, was nabbed on Tuesday.

She allegedly took the bribe to extend the validity of the asylum permit of a Bangladeshi national, whose application for international protection was being appealed at the Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa.

The official was allegedly seen by a security guard accepting the money from the Bangladeshi national.

The guard alerted the department’s counter-corruption branch resulting in both the official and the refugee being arrested.

While the Refugee Reception Offices remain closed, asylum seekers whose permits cannot be extended online are invited to the offices.

The arrested suspects are scheduled to appear at the Pretoria Magistrate Court on 30 March 2022.

Commenting on the arrest, Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi said: “Bribing an official for a service that is available for free suggests that the person bribing is aware that they don’t have a valid claim for international protection.

“This is another example of the abuse we are rooting out in the asylum seeker and refugee management system.”

The minister again warned that the department had no space for dishonest employees.

“I have instructed the department to conduct a speedy, thorough and full investigation into the matter and action must be taken against anyone who falls foul of the law,” said Dr. Motsoaledi.

Both the arrested official and the refugee are scheduled to appear at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today, Wednesday 30 March.

www,samigration.com

South African Permanent Residence

South Africa encourages permanent residency if you are serious about staying in South Africa on a long terms permanent basis there are many categories you can apply under.

• Hold a General Work Visa for five years and have a permanent job offer.
• Hold a Relative’s Visa sponsored by an immediate family member.
• Hold a Critical Skills Visa and have 5 years relevant work experience.
• Be in a proven life partner relationship for five years
• Be married to an SA Spouse for at least five years.
• Have held Refugee Asylum Status for five years.
• Hold a Business Visa.
• Receive a monthly income of R37,000 through Pension or Retirement Annuity
• Have a net asset worth of R12m and payment to Home Affairs of R120,000