Due to the decision to centralise the processing of visa applications (which has now been reversed) many visa applications have still not been processed. Many of these applications are for critical skills and business visa with companies now becoming desperate for these persons to be allowed to start working in South Africa. Against this backdrop and pressure from certain business organisations and chambers the Department of Home Affairs have confirmed that Critical Skills Visa applications and Business Visa applications will be prioritized.

According to the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, a team has been established to fast track the processing of Critical Skill Visa and Business Visa applications. The Minister stated that a team of 26 adjudicators would be dedicated solely to such applications in order to ensure a much faster turnaround time for these applications. The Department is also working closely with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to track the processing of Business Visas.

At the same meeting, Motsoaledi, advised that he didn’t have any further update on the plans for the introduction of a Remote Workers (Digital Nomad) Visa. This visa has been proposed by the Western Cape Government and referred to by President Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation address in February.