As per the previous news item the DHA’s have published draft Amendments to the Immigration Regulations. Included in these draft amendments is confirmation that a Remote Working Visa will be introduced. This has been a long time in the making and its most welcome. While clear guidelines and requirements will be published when the amendments are finalised the following key points can be highlighted at this stage:

• The Remote Working Visa will form part of the category of Visitor’s Visas issued in terms of Section 11 of the Immigration Act. These visas are generally issued for a period of up to 3 years.
• The applicant must be conducting work for a foreign employer on a remote basis.
• The applicant must be earning a salary of not less than R 1 million per year. Even with South Africa’s weak currency this is a significant amount and is out of line with the minimum income levels of other country’s Remote Working Visas. As a comparison Mauritius is at R 450 000, Portugal at R 700 000, Croatia at R 700 000, Greece at R 840 000, Spain at R 530 000, Malta at R 650 000 etc. This minimum salary level is almost certainly too high for many potential digital nomads, and the visa would seem to be aimed at older more experienced employees that are able to work on a remote basis.
• The applicant is required to register with the South African Revenue Services if the visa is issued for longer than 6 months.
• As the visa falls within the Visitors visa category it is likely that the applicant’s family will be able to accompany the applicant to South Africa.