Previously whenever the issue of whether a Remote Working Visa is likely to be introduced in South Africa the Minister of Home Affairs has advised that South Africa’s immigration legislation does not make provision for the introduction of such a type of visa, and that there were no plans in the pipeline to introduce it. This has been contrary to the intentions expressed by President Ramaphosa who has advised in the last two State of the Nation addresses that plans were indeed in place for the introduction of a Remote Working Visa.

The Minister finally seems to have changed his tune, and in the Department of Home Affairs Annual Performance Plan states that the Department is actively exploring the introduction of two new visa types: i.e. a Remote Working Visa as well as a Start-Up Visa.

According to the Minister “The comprehensive review of the work visa system is underway to explore new visa categories that could enable economic growth, such as a start-up visa and a remote working visa. In this regard, certain process and policy recommendations proposed by the Vulindlela Task Team are being considered by the DHA for implementation. These recommendations are aimed at establishing a visa regime that will attract skills and promote tourism.”

It is apparent that it is not a quick process however and the first stage would involve a consultation document to be completed by the end of the first quarter of the financial year (end June) with a White Paper on the Management of Citizenship, International Migration and Refugee Protection, which will address, inter alia, the new visa categories to be submitted to cabinet by the end of the fourth quarter (April 2024).