South Africa Immigration Update: Points-Based System and Remote Work Visa Introduced
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber on 9 October 2024 published new Immigration Regulations pertaining to the following –
- Points-Based System for Critical Skills and General Work Visa
- The Remote Work Visa
- Partial waiver for SAQA requirement
- Ministerial Directive for Port of Entry Visas
The Points-Based System All General Work Visa applications will now be adjudicated under the points-based system. The previous requirement for a certificate from the Department of Employment and Labour in support of a General Work Visas application has now been fully waived for all applicants. To qualify, an applicant must instead score a minimum of 100 points. Points are earned through various criteria including qualification, gross salary per annum, years of work experience, Trusted Employer status and language proficiency (full table included below).
Applicants for a Critical Skills Work Visa, will immediately earn 100 points through their occupation listed on the Critical Skills list.
Remote Work Visas
The remote work visa has now been officially rolled out and stipulates the following criteria –
- The applicant must work for a foreign employer on a remote basis.
- Their Gross Annual Income must be R650,976.00 or more.
- Applicants must register/comply with the South African Revenue Service and relevant double taxation agreements, as outlined in the Income Tax Act.
Partial Waiver of SAQA Evaluation Given the delays in obtaining SAQA evaluation certificates for foreign qualifications, proof of an application to SAQA will now suffice for the issuance of a 12-month Critical Skills or General Work Visa.
Once the SAQA evaluation is secured, the visa may be extended for the remaining 4-year period from within South Africa.
New Ministerial Directive for Port of Entry Visas
This Directive orders Foreign Missions and E-Visa Managers to adhere to the requirements for port of entry visas, this includes business and tourists visas. The Directive addresses inconsistencies and concerns around unauthorised documentation requests from Foreign Missions and E-Visa Adjudicators. This change aims to ensure a uniform and transparent process for all applicants regardless of nationality, place of submission or port of entry.
In Summary These changes to immigration regulations represent a significant shift towards a more efficient and transparent system. The introduction of a refined points-based system for Critical Skills and General Work Visas, alongside the new standardised checklist for the Critical Skills, General Work Visa and the Remote Work Visa, demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the country’s economic and administrative needs. By streamlining visa processes, reducing income thresholds, and clarifying requirements, the Department of Home Affairs is working towards achieving its objectives to attract skilled professionals and tourist while fostering a predictable, lawful and equitable immigration framework.
If you require assistance navigating these new regulations or have questions about your visa application, please do not hesitate to contact Xpatweb. Our team of experts are ready to guide you through the process and ensure a smooth and compliant application experience.
