A business visa may be issued to a foreigner intending to establish or invest into a business in South Africa where he or she will be involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. Upon first application for a business visa, the prospective business owner needs to submit an undertaking (unless is an existing business) ensuring that the business will be registered with the following stakeholder departments - Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) South African Revenue Services (SARS) Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) An undertaking to ensure that at least 60% of the total staff compliment will be South African citizens or permanent residence holders must be submitted as part of the application. The company has one (1) year to fulfill this undertaking. It is absolutely imperative to obtain a positive letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) in support of the business visa application. When it comes to investment, a registered Chartered Accountant (CA) or a registered professional accountant must confirm, in writing, that at least R5 million in cash is available to be invested or at least an amount in cash and capital contributions are available to be invested into the book value of the business. The Director-General may reduce or waive the financial or capital contribution for businesses which fall within the national interest as outlined in the Government Gazette ie. the business must be classified as a desirable business. A business visa may be issued for a maximum period of three (3) years at a time. To know more about the business visa process, reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, you may contact us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

International assignments between countries are extremely beneficial and for South Africa it is no different. Scarce skills, which cannot be found readily available in South Africa, are often needed and companies often seek these skills outside of our borders. One option would be to seek these skills within a branch, subsidiary or affiliated company which shares a relationship with the South African entity. In the event that these skills are found in possession of an individual who is employed with the 'sending' entity abroad for at least six (6) months, both companies may look at applying for an intra company transfer work visa. The benefit of an intra company transfer is that the South African company can have their staff members trained for the duration of the foreign employees' assignment. The idea of the transfer of skills segment is that the nominated staff member/s take over the role once the assignee departs from South Africa - retaining the skills within the Republic. It is important, though, that the skills training be imparted to a South African citizen or permanent residence holder. The South African company may request an intra company transfer work visa for a maximum period of four (4) years, leaving sufficient training time for the staff member/s, but also supervision to ensure all training components have been met. To know more about the intra company transfer work visa process, reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. 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.

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. 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

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 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!

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

On 01 December 2023, the Department of Home Affairs issued a statement announcing that they are extending the exemption permits of current ZEP and LEP holders for a further two years until 29 November 2025. This certainly comes as a big surprise to all stakeholders involved and whilst it's a relief to current ZEP and LEP holders who may not qualify for mainstream visas, it is also disappointing to hear that neither exemption still does not offer permanent residence in South Africa. The exemption permit holders will be allowed travels between South Africa and any other country. More importantly, the holder of an exemption permit cannot change his or her status within South Africa during the validity of the permit issued. The Minister issued directives extending the validity of the exemption permits until 31 December 2024 and these directives will be published in the Government Gazette on Monday, 04 December 2023. Individuals who applied previously for waivers and visa applications do not have to apply for new exemption permits as the validity of their expired exemption permits has been extended. Those who did not yet apply for waivers or visa applications are invited to apply for their new exemption permits through the VFS office - who in turn were instructed to fast track the application process. Should you require any further information regarding this announcement, please contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, please 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

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 travels to South Africa, please contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, you may contact us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

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 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

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!

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