The South African Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, announced significant changes to South Africa’s visa system on Wednesday.
The introduction of a new Remote Work Visitor Visa and a Points-Based System for Work Visas aims to simplify entry processes for foreign workers and investors, according to Bloomberg.
These reforms are designed to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that have previously hindered access to the country, making it easier for skilled professionals to contribute to the South African economy.
By streamlining the visa process, these changes are expected to create jobs and boost investment and tourism, contributing to economic growth.
The Remote Work Visitor Visa enables high-earning foreign workers to reside in South Africa while spending their income locally.
This initiative aims to bolster the local economy, as these visitors will contribute to the economy by paying Value-Added Tax and purchasing food, goods, and services from South African businesses.
Schreiber noted the importance of these changes, stating, “The gazetting of all required elements for the Remote Work Visitor Visa and the new Points-Based System for Work Visas amounts to the single most progressive and pro-jobs regulatory reform South Africa has seen in decades.”
Reports indicate that the new Points-Based System for Work Visas aims to reduce corruption and enhance efficiency in visa processing.
This system offers a transparent method for assessing applications, simplifying the overall process. To qualify for a Critical Skills or General Work Visa, applicants must accumulate a total of 100 points.
‘For General Work Visa applicants outside the Trusted Employer Scheme, the minimum threshold for gross annual income has been set at R650,796,’ South Africa’s Home Affairs reports.
