New Zealand Visa For French Citizens – Details of Visas granted by New Zealand

Digital Journey – 30 June  2022

ETA Criteria for French Citizens in New Zealand

The following are the eTA conditions for French visa holders in New Zealand:

• A valid passport: The traveler must have a valid French passport for at least three months from the date of departure from New Zealand.
• A valid email address is: The email address entered on the application will get the New Zealand eTA. It is critical to provide an email address that you regularly check to get updates on the eTA status.
• A payment method: French people will be required to pay a nominal charge to submit their application. They’ll need a legitimate payment method, including a credit card or debit card, to do so.
• A recent digital image of the French citizen: The candidate must submit a recent digital picture of the French citizen.

What Is an eTA for French Citizens in New Zealand and What Does It Do?

• The New Zealand eTA is a digital visa waiver for French nationals. It permits the bearer to enter the nation without going through the tedious procedure of applying for a visa.
• The New Zealand eTA, commonly known as the NZ Electronic Travel Authority, was implemented in 2019 and is available to French nationals wanting to visit the country.
• New Zealand has an electronic travel authorization (eTA) that permits visitors from more than 190 countries, including France, to enter the nation for several short visits.
• The user of this numerous internet visa waiver can stay in New Zealand for up to three months per visit.
• The validity of this document is two years from the date of issue or until the passport to which it is attached expires.
• It’s suitable for two years from the date of issue or until the passport to which it’s attached expires.

Procedures for Obtaining a New Zealand eTA from France

People from France will need to complete a brief online application form to register for the New Zealand eTA. Any gadget with an internet connection may be used for this. Travelers will be asked for basic personal and passport information on the New Zealand eTA application form, including the following:

• Name in full
• Year of birth
• Nationality
• Information about how to contact us
• Number on the passport
• Issued/expired date

The eTA registration for French nationals includes asking about their health and criminal history and whether they intend to seek medical care while in the country. It’s a good idea to double-check the form once you’ve completed it to ensure that the information you’ve supplied is valid and error-free. New Zealand Immigration may postpone or refuse your eTA request if there are any anomalies in the application. Families visiting New Zealand should be aware that each member of the group must complete their own NZeTA registration. It will be essential to pay the New Zealand eTA charge using a valid credit or debit card to apply.

Points to remember

• You will be asked to submit your passport upon arrival in New Zealand, which must be valid for at least three months beyond your scheduled departure date.
• In addition, you’ll need a valid New Zealand visa stamped on your passport.
• If your visa says ‘number of entries: many,’ you can travel back and forth between India and New Zealand as often as you like until the ‘expiration date of travel.’
• The typical tourist visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for a maximum of 9 months during the course of an 18-month term.
• The visa for New Zealand is not extendable.
• You will be deemed an illegal immigrant and may be expelled if your visa expires while you are still in New Zealand. As a result, it is critical to have a valid New Zealand Visa at all times.

www.samigration.com

South Africans can get ‘retirement visas’ for these 3 countries without having to buy property

Businesstech - 30 June 2022

Residence- and citizenship-by-investment (RBI and CBI) programmes have become very familiar over the past few years to South Africans who don’t have ancestral ties to other countries but are keen to gain residency or citizenship in a European country, and access to visa-free travel anywhere in the EU.

“These ‘golden visa’ schemes are, however, beyond the means of most South Africans, which is why we are excited about the other, much more affordable residency options that are now opening up around the world,” said Leana Nel, head of international sales and relocations for the Chas Everitt group.

The most popular are those generally termed ‘retirement visas’, which are aimed at people who have a certified monthly pension or annuity income sufficient to live on in the country of their choice.

They allow applicants to continue to work remotely and, unlike the current RBI and CBI schemes, they do not require applicants to buy real estate.

“This makes them accessible to many more people, and the timing couldn’t be better, because the European Union Commission on Citizenship is determined to ensure that all CBI programmes are completely phased out by 2025, and that stringent new rules are put in place for countries that continue to offer the RBI schemes,” said Nel.

“The Commission has become increasingly worried about the opportunities that visa-free travel around the EU creates for money laundering, tax fraud and various other serious crimes.”

Nel said the top three choices currently for South Africans who want to obtain permanent residency by applying for a ‘retirement visa’ are Mauritius, Portugal and Panama, and that the basic requirements for obtaining permanent residence in these countries are as follows:

Mauritius 

Mauritius offers a 10-year occupation or residence permit to ‘retired non-citizens’ over the age of 50 who are able to open a Mauritian bank account and make an initial deposit of $1,500 (R23,618), followed by $1,500 a month or $18,000 (R283,358) a year for the duration of the permit. Evidence of these deposits has to be presented to the authorities every year.

After three years, those who hold one of these occupation or residence permits can apply for a 20-year permanent residence permit. No purchase of property is necessary to obtain the initial retired non-resident occupation permit, and the spouse, parents and dependent children under-24 of permit holders can be included.

Retired non-citizen permit holders can also invest in a business in Mauritius although they cannot manage the business, be employed by it, or draw a salary. There is no restriction on remote work.

Portugal 

Portugal offers the D7 residency visa to retirees or income holders who want to live in Portugal and have sufficient passive foreign income to qualify.

Applicants need to open a Portuguese bank account and be able to deposit a minimum of €8,460 (R142,085) a year per individual or €12,690 a year per couple to qualify for the visa. They can buy property in Portugal if they wish but this is not necessary initially as long as they also have a rental agreement for at least 12 months.

After this, their application will need to be considered by the Portuguese Consulate before they are granted a four-month visa to visit Portugal and finalise the residency process with the immigration authorities.

The D7 visa confers non-habitual resident status, which includes exemption from tax on certain foreign income, and access to Portugal’s public health system. In addition, those with a D7 visa can after five years apply for citizenship or a Portuguese permanent residency permit valid for 10 years.

Family reunification can be carried out in terms of this visa, but requires an additional application and approval by the immigration authorities in Portugal.

Panama 

Panama offers the ‘pensionado visa’ to applicants who have a guaranteed income for life of at least $1,000 (R15,735) a month, to be deposited into a Panama bank account.

This can be a state pension, or a certified annuity from a bank, business or insurance company that has been accepted by the Panama Consulate.

Spouses and dependent children can be included in this visa, at an additional monthly income requirement of $250 per person. Children aged 18 to 25, however, need to be full-time students to qualify as dependents.

Once approved for a pensionado visa, applicants will immediately be issued with a temporary residence card and then, four to six months later, a permanent residence card that is valid for life and gives them access to Panama’s public health system, as well as many other pensioners’ benefits and discounts

www.samigration.com

Home Affairs to introduce improved measures to curb illegal immigrants from entering SA

30 June 2022, SABC3

Department of Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, says his Department is considering the reintroduction of transit visas. Motsoaledi says reviving these types of visas will help deal with foreign nationals entering South Africa illegally through O.R Tambo International Airport. The transit visas were discontinued in 2015.

Earlier this week, four Bangladeshi and four Pakistani nationals, were arrested after bypassing security measures at the airport to enter the country illegally.

The latest arrest is part of on-going efforts by Home Affairs authorities and police to punish syndicates working with foreign nationals intending to enter the country illegally. Recently, the kingpin of a syndicate, fraudulently issuing passports and other crucial documents to foreign nationals was arrested in a sting operation.

26 suspects arrested

Thirteen foreign nationals and 13 South Africans were among those nabbed. Motsoaledi and Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, addressed the media at O.R Tambo on improved measures to deal with security challenges at airports following reports of illegal immigration and corruption.

Motsoaledi says the Bangladeshis used the Eswatini and Mozambique routes to enter the country through O.R Tambo International.

Watch: Department of Home Affairs considers the reintroduction of transit visas 

He elaborates “Now we have border management authorities manning our borders but with this as Home Affairs, we’ve decided that the transit visas will once be needed. The state security debriefed them for a couple hours and they had information about them. Though some of these things cannot be made publicly, I hope you saw on social media when they were pulling people.”

Attack on SA’s safety and security

Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, says the recent incident suggests a well-coordinated attack on the laws governing safety and security at the country’s airports. Mbalula commended law enforcement agencies for making the arrests.

“All of you are now aware that arrests were made of four Bangladeshi and four Pakistani nationals as they attempted to enter the country illegally. They arrived on Qatar air flight from Doha on the 15th June. This is clear indication of our efficacy at our security system that enabled to detect and arrest these illegal immigrants. We want to salute our officers on the grounds who have managed to arrest these illegal immigrants at this airport.”

Mbalula has emphasised the importance of airlines ensuring that passenger documentation is checked when departing or arriving in a country.

“South Africa holds a good record of compliance and recommended practices. This is a record we intend to guard and it is the reason we will not tolerate any acts of illegality within our aviation space.” he explains.

Both Ministers say authorities and law enforcement agencies will remain on high alert to ensure no corrupt or criminal activities.

www.samigration.co.za

South Africa: Concessions Granted Due to Processing Delays of Long-Term Visa Applications

29 June 2022 – Sa Migration

At a Glance

• The Department of Home Affairs is providing an automatic extension of status until 30 September 2022, for applicants currently in South Africa with pending visas and waivers, due to processing delays in adjudicating long-term visa applications.
• The processing delays are a result of a measure put in place in January, where the Department of Home Affairs required all long-term visa applications to be adjudicated in Pretoria, instead of at the South African consular posts. Due to understaffing, there is now a backlog of applications.
• Employers should ensure that they plan their employees’ start dates at least six months in advance to accommodate the lengthier processing times to meet their projected assignments or local employment start dates.

The situation

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is providing an automatic extension of status for applicants currently in South Africa with pending visas and waivers due to processing delays in adjudicating long-term visa applications.

A closer look

• Pending waiver applications. Foreign nationals with pending waiver applications who are currently in South Africa have been granted an automatic temporary extension of their status until 30 September 2022, during which time the DHA anticipates adjudicating their applications.
• Approval. If the foreign national receives an approval by this date, they can proceed to apply for an appropriate visa.
• Denial. If the foreign national receives a denial by this date, they must depart South Africa to avoid being declared undesirable for overstaying their status.
• Pending visa applications.  Foreign nationals with pending visa applications who are currently in South Africa have been granted an automatic temporary extension of their status until 30 September 2022, during which time the DHA anticipates adjudicating their applications.
• Approval. If the foreign national receives an approval by this date, they can continue to reside in South Africa.
• Denial. If the foreign national receives a denial by this date, they can appeal their application within the prescribed timeline or depart to avoid being declared undesirable for overstaying their status. These foreign nationals can also abandon their application and depart from South Africa without being declared undesirable on or before 30 September 2022.
• Visa-exempt nationals. Visa-exempt foreign nationals with pending waiver or visa applications who seek to travel outside of South Africa before 30 September 2022 can present their Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) receipts on their return to South Africa for re-admission.
• Visa-required nationals. Visa-required foreign nationals with pending waiver or visa applications who seek to travel outside of South Africa before 30 September 2022 must obtain a visa (showing proof of their VFS receipt as part of the supporting documents for the application) to re-enter South Africa. They will not be subject to delays in obtaining this visa since consulates can issue visas for durations shorter than 90 days which the foreign national can then extend in South Africa.
• Processing times. Processing times have increased from the usual four to eight weeks to an estimated minimum of 16 weeks.

www.samigration.com

Immigration-related permits: Why Motsoaledi is 'jittery' about releasing 'sensitive' report to MPs

News 24 – 29 June 2022

• A task team report involving the issuing of permits at the home affairs department is "sensitive", according to Aaron Motsoaledi.
• He is "jittery" about distributing the report to the committee before it is presented to them.
• The task team investigated several immigration-related permits.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is "jittery" about releasing a "sensitive" report to MPs before the information is presented to them.

The report is in relation to a task team's investigation into the home affairs department's issuance of permits.

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs was scheduled to be briefed on this report on Tuesday, but at the 11th hour, Motsoaledi asked for a postponement.

MPs weren't too pleased, but agreed to postpone the briefing until 8 July.

"Honourable members, I am as anxious as you for the report to come out because, indeed, the report is ready. There is no other reason that we are delaying it, except that this was an investigative report, by investigators. It would be remiss for me to try and make myself an investigator and bring it to you," Motsoaledi told the committee.

"The people who are not here are not officials from the department; it has got nothing to do with officials from the department. But they're outside people doing the investigation, who we could not get today, for which I profusely apologise."

Motsoaledi said he would do everything possible to have the task team members at the briefing on 8 July.

"But these members are high-powered people. Some of them have since been called to the bench to act, and they are not easily available. But I will make sure that I bring a minimum number of those without whom the report cannot be presented."

DA MP Angel Khanyile and IFP MP Liezl van der Merwe asked that committee members receive the report as soon as possible to prepare for the briefing.

Motsoaledi said it was in the committee's hands, but he had his reservations.

He said the report was of a "sensitive nature", and previously the committee allowed him not to send reports of a similar nature to the MPs before it was presented to the committee.

"To distribute it here, electronically, I'm a jittery about it," Motsoaledi said.

The chairperson of the committee, Mosa Chabane, said he would discuss the matter with MPs and legal services, and then advise Motsoaledi on their decision.

Motsoaledi appointed the task team in March last year to review the permits issued by his department.

At the time, Motsoaledi said he identified the need to review the permits after realising a trend emerging from the outcomes of cases involving prominent people investigated by the department's Counter Corruption Unit.

The unit investigates wrongdoing by departmental officials.

"Over the years, the Counter Corruption Unit has established that 66%, or nearly two out of every three reported cases, involved permitting. The allegations are reported by different whistleblowers, using different avenues to reach the Counter Corruption unit," he said in a statement.

"In November 2020, during a high powered investigation, I was alarmed when 14 members of the permitting section signed a petition demanding that the Counter Corruption Unit should stop investigating their errors. This admission strengthened my resolve to have a more transparent permit issuance regime."

The task team was established to review all permits issued since 2004 – the year in which the Immigration Act came into operation – in the following categories:

• Permanent Residence Permits (PRP), which are just a step away from citizenship;
• Corporate visas, especially in the mining sector;
• Business visa;
• Professional critical skills visa;
• Retired persons visa;
• Citizenship by naturalisation; and
• Study visa.

The task team is chaired by former top civil servant, Cassius Lubisi, and will include advocate Sesi Baloyi, forensic investigations specialist Peter Bishop, Kathleen Dlepu - the chair of the Legal Services Council - and Professor Somadoda Fikeni.

www.samigration.com