Clients are experiencing a surge in seemingly arbitrary rejections from the Department of Home Affairs via VFS Global, primarily due to a combination of systemic issues and a significant backlog in processing applications. Here are the main reasons for these rejections: 

1. High Rejection Rates

Recent reports indicate that rejection rates for visa applications have soared, with some immigration firms noting that 70-80% of outcomes are negative. This alarming trend appears to be part of an effort by the Department of Home Affairs to manage an overwhelming backlog of applications, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic 

2. Arbitrary Rejection Reasons

Many rejections are based on seemingly trivial or nonsensical reasons. For instance, one reported case involved a rejection because a doctor did not answer the phone to confirm a medical certificate. Such inconsistencies suggest a lack of coherent criteria for decision-making within the department

Further to meet the deadline for backlog project many inexperienced , poorly trained immigration officers of senior level with no adjudication experience were seconded to backlog project given extremely limited training which explains why some of these rejections that don’t make sense are coming through . 

Additionally, some applicants have faced rejections due to expired memberships in professional bodies, despite having valid documentation at the time of application, highlighting issues with processing delays

3. Pressure to Meet Processing Targets

Department officials have indicated that there is pressure to adjudicate a specific number of applications daily (around 20), leading to a strategy where applications are rejected to meet these targets rather than being thoroughly evaluated. This approach has resulted in many justified applications being incorrectly denied, thereby inflating rejection statistics without resolving underlying issues 

4. Backlog and Processing Delays

The backlog created during the pandemic has led to extended waiting times for applicants, with appeals taking several months to process. This situation is compounded by the department's decision to reject applications as a means of clearing backlogs, which only results in further delays as justified appeals flood in. 

5. Lack of Clear Communication

Many applicants report receiving vague or no explanations for their rejections, which complicates the appeal process. The Department is required to provide written reasons for any rejection, but this is often not adhered to, leaving applicants uncertain about how to address the issues raised

In summary, the combination of high rejection rates, arbitrary reasoning behind decisions, pressure on staff to meet processing targets, ongoing backlogs, and poor communication contributes significantly to the frustrations faced by clients dealing with the Department of Home Affairs through VFS Global creating further bottlenecks at VFS offices as appeals have a limited period of time , 10  days to be submitted