South Africa's Department of Home Affairs released its latest Critical skills list on 03 October 2023, adding two (2) more occupations of Veterinarian and Veterinary Nurses to the list. This is certainly great news to Veterinarians who were left stunned in 2022 when the occupation was removed from a prior list. The qualifying NQF level for a Veterinarian is a minimum of 8. This means a Vet needs to be in possession of a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) or Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMCh). A Veterinary Nurse must be in possession of a National Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (DVN) aligned with a NQF level 6 or a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (BVN) aligned with a NQF level 7. University Lecturers: In the new critical skills list, the Department of Home Affairs made further mention that university lecturers must specify the classification of education subject matter as per the Critical Skills Technical Report. Candidate Engineers: Perhaps the most exciting news from the new list is the Candidate Engineers will now be considered for a critical skills work visa, providing they meet all the other requirements and that they will be working under the supervision of a qualified professional, where applicable. Previously, applications for Candidate Engineers were declined for lack of obtaining a written confirmation of skills letter - the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) only issued these letters to the professional engineering categories. Lastly, we wish to reiterate that applicants may only apply for a relevant critical skills work visa if the application is accompanied by an offer of employment from South African employers who are verifiable and in good standing with South Africa's Department of Employment and Labour. Should you require any further information on the new critical skills list, please reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, you may contact us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimigration.com We look forward to hearing from you!

It's tourism season in South Africa and we are certainly looking forward to the business and buzz of the holiday period. We have had numerous enquirers stunned as they did not know that they could extend their tourist visas by a further 90 days within South Africa. Our beautiful South Africa has much to offer every tourism season and whilst you are enjoying our wonderful beaches, wine farms, garden routes and wild parks, let us help you extend your visa to ensure you have the maximum time of relaxation and appreciation of what South Africa has to offer. Quintessential documents for the extension process - Passport Proof of valid entry into South Africa Proof of sufficient funds for duration of stay in South Africa Proof of accommodation for duration of stay in South Africa Departure flight back to home country Feel free to speak to us about your extension process. We can be contacted via our website www.movingsouthimmigration.com or alternatively reach out to us via email or telephone on sue@movingsouthimmigration.com or +2773 5357 534. We look forward to hearing from you!

A treaty visa may be applied for by a foreign national needing to conduct work related activities where South Africa is party to a treaty or international agreement. A treaty visa may be issued by the - Director-General (DG) as prescribed in the Regulations; or A department or organ of state responsible for the implementation of the treaty concerned, but under the delegation of the Director-General. Both states and relevant departments need to confirm the assignment to South Africa. A treaty visa may be issued for a maximum of three (3) years at a time.

We previously wrote about critical skills work visa applications and professional body memberships and wish to send a reminder to individuals who are in possession of critical skills work visas, as well as those individuals who are awaiting their critical skills work visa application outcomes to ensure that they keep their respective professional body memberships valid at all times. As part of the process, the Department of Home Affairs reserves the right to contact the relevant professional bodies and enquire about the validity of memberships. Whilst we acknowledge that the long waiting time is frustrating and partly to blame for individuals' memberships lapsing, we urge applicants to ensure their memberships are kept up to date, avoiding a potential rejection with reason of 'no valid membership' or 'membership missing'. For more information about the professional body membership process or critical skills work visa process, please reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we are available on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

As we near the end of 2023, we wish to send a gentle reminder to submit your visa applications before the festive season hits. Whilst the VFS office did not announce their formal closure dates yet, we urge applicants not to wait for these announcements and rather focus on submitting their complete and fully compliant visa applications as soon as possible. In addition to the VFS closures, most institutions down tools by mid-December and we are aware of the fact that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) including their portal for submissions, most professional bodies as well as most South African missions abroad close for the festive period. This means visa applicants will only be able to lodge their visa applications in January 2024. For further information on a visa process, we can be reached via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we can be contacted on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com We look forward to hearing from you!

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) will be closing their application portal from the 8th of December 2023, and end year closure will take place from the 15th of December 2023 for existing applications. The SAQA offices will resume operations on the 8th of January 2024. With this calculation, applicants have less than a month to lodge their final applications for the year. It is important to be mindful that the end year closure period will lengthen your turnaround by a further 3 weeks, if no issues are found with your application. For more information on the SAQA closure dates and evaluation process, please reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we are available on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

When applying for a South African visa, there are a few things applicants or travelers need to be aware of, before lodging a visa application. Only machine-readable passports are permitted to be used for a visa application. Handwritten passports are no longer accepted. Passports must have at least two (2) blank pages for the endorsement of visas or permanent residence permits and for entry into South Africa. The validity of the passport must not be less than thirty (30) days after intended departure from the Republic of South Africa. Passports must include the full name and surname, date and place of birth, a clear photograph of the applicant, the gender as well as the nationality of the passport holder. Lastly, the passport must include the following of the holder - travel document type; name of the issuing authority; place of where passport was issued; passport number; and issue and expiry date Should you require any further information about the Passport requirements for a South African visa, please contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, you may contact us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

VFS Global in South Africa announced their final year end closure dates. Please see these dates below for ease of reference - Last day for submissions - 20th December 2023 Open for collections - 21st, 22nd, 27th and 28th December 2023 Closed- 29th December 2023 Resumption of Full Operations - 2nd January 2024 Should you wish to still submit your visa application, please do so urgently as appointment slots are filling up at a very quick pace! Should you have any questions regarding the closures or visa process, you may contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, can be reached on +2773 5357 535 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

Critical skills work visa holders, who have at least five (5) years post qualification work experience may apply for permanent residence (PR) in South Africa. The applicant’s skills must be confirmed by a relevant professional body as recognized by SAQA. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Unlike the temporary residence visa application counterpart, the applicant must obtain a MIE report confirming the post qualification experience and same will be vetted by MIE with previous employers. The current employer must confirm, in writing, permanent and continuous employment of the applicant and same will be verified by the Department of Home Affairs once they have received the PR application. Lastly, the same personal documents apply with the inclusion of an unabridged birth certificate. For more information on the permanent residence process, please reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we are available on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

With 2023 almost at its end, we are hopeful that it has been an amazing year for most. The immigration industry was certainly on a roller coaster ride with frustration and disappointment, but yet full of joyous and elated moments as well. Big congratulations to those who received their temporary residence visas and permanent residence permits. I bet the thought of not having to go through a visa process anytime soon is anyone's highlight. To the individuals whose applications are still pending, hang in there just a little bit longer - considering the Department of Home Affairs endeavors to clear the backlog by June 2024. From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank each and every client and supporter for your wonderful support during 2023 and I look forward to continuing our journey and relationships in 2024. I would like to wish each and every one, who celebrates, a most blessed and wonderful Christmas from the South and New Year. Enjoy the time with family and friends and enjoy making these precious memories. If you are travelling, please do so safely and we will see you in 2024!

The Department of Home Affairs, once again, extended its blanket waiver to applicants who are currently awaiting their outcomes of submitted visa, appeal and waiver applications. This is really good news to individuals who, submitted their applications prior to 30 November 2023 and whose visas expired already. These individuals are now covered until 30 June 2024. This further means applicants may travel, if required, from South Africa between now until 30 June 2024 on expired visas without being declared undesirable. They will be required, however, to present their original VFS receipt upon their departure from and entry into South Africa. Visa exempt nationals may simply enter South Africa again on their usual 30-90 day visas to collect the outcomes of their visa applications. Unfortunately, nationals from visa-restricted countries must apply for and obtain a port of entry visa in order to be re-admitted into South Africa. Blanket waiver extension applicants who applied for their tourist visa extensions and who did not receive their outcomes yet until 23 February 2024, may leave South Africa by latest 29 February 2024 without being declared undesirable. Further good news is that individuals who appealed and who did not receive their outcomes yet by 30 November 2023 are now included and covered under the blanket waiver as well. These individuals must also produce a copy of the rejection letter in addition to the original VFS receipt should they travel outside of and into South Africa. Please note that ONLY the conditions stipulated on the current visa are permissible. A pending change of conditions application does not grant the applicant permission to conduct the new activity yet. It is important to note that this blanket waiver ONLY covers applicants who submitted their visa, appeal and waiver applications within South Africa and who have been legally admitted into the country. Please feel free to reach out to us via our contact form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com to discuss. Alternatively, you may contact us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

Australia is a popular destination for tourism and holidays and given the magnificent and breathtaking landscapes, we have to agree that this country certainly earned this status! The Subclass 600 visa is a tourist visa and has a validity of 1-3 years, issued based on discretion from the Australian immigration government. It is also usually issued as a multiple entry visa with a condition that each visit does not exceed ninety (90) days or three (3) months. The Subclass 600 tourist visa comes with various conditions attached though. Typical conditions would be - No work is allowed on this visa; and Maximum three months studies would be allowed on this visa As part of the tourist visa application, you will be required to book an appointment with the relevant stakeholder agency to provide your biometrics before your application is finalized and, if successful, your e-visa is issued. Always obey the laws of the Australian government otherwise your visa will be cancelled. Lastly, the e-visa must be presented at immigration control in Australia and the airlines might ask for this notice so they can carry out checks to allow you to board their aircraft. Should you require more information on the Subclass 600 Australian visa, you may contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, you may reach out to us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com.