South Africa is introducing self-service IDs and passports – what you should know

Businesstech  28 May 2022

 

The Department of Home Affairs is introducing a self-service system for smart IDs, passports and other documentation.

Presenting his departmental budget speech this week, deputy minister Njabulo Nzuza said the system is planned for roll out in the 2022/2023 financial year.

“The 2022/2023 budget will see us exploring new ways to better serve citizens. We will procure kiosks that will allow clients to self-service for passports and smart ID applications and reprint birth, marriage and death certificates,” he said.

“The kiosk will be designed in a manner that will require authentication through biometrics and will be located in strategic areas to allow access even after office hours or weekends. The self-service kiosk will usher a new era in the manner in which we service our clients.”

Nzuza added that his department will be rapidly expanding its online booking system in the coming months.

“The Branch Appointment Booking System pilot currently operates on a hybrid model in the 25 offices that we have rolled in because we didn’t want to turn away clients that have not made a booking and it is only used to book for applications of passports and Smart ID cards only.

“In the future, we would like to only service booked clients for those two products because it is our firm belief that scheduling an appointment for those two products is possible compared to scheduling a death or birth registration because those are occurrences that are not planned for in advance hence we will continue to take walk-ins for those two services.”

Citizens will be able to access the Home Affairs website link to schedule an appointment on their desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones, he said.

He added that the government is exploring partnerships with more institutions and are in discussions with the South African Post Office to extend the accessibility of services.

“We are also exploring opening offices in the major shopping centres in which we envisage a positive uptake, with five of the malls having offered rent-free space for five years.”

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What can I do if my application for refugee status has been rejected and I have been given a ‘must leave’ letter?

SA Migration – 30/05/2022

If your asylum application is rejected, this means that the DHA does not recognise you as a refugee.
You will receive a letter stating that you must leave the country or file an appeal usually within 30 days of being told of the rejection.
Depending on the reasons for the rejection of your application, you will need to appeal to the Refugee Appeal Board or the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs.
If you think that you do qualify for refugee status it would be a good idea to seek legal advice from an organisation such as ours

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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https://g.page/SAMigration?gm
Alternatively, please contact us on :
Sa Migration International
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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
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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

Please rate us by clinking on this links :

Sa Migration Visas

https://g.page/r/CdZJnrStK3WVEBM/review

Alternatively , please contact us on :

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

 

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.

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