The Critical Skills Crisis – A Problem Mitigated by Data-Driven Evidence

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While the country remains a hotspot for foreign workers and their families to settle down as well as many looking to work remotely – which is a positive – the South African economy and its businesses continue to need more critically skilled employees. This shortage may be supplemented by foreign nationals in the short and medium term. Unfortunately, however, the stringent and currently backlogged South African visa process makes obtaining a South African work visa challenging.

This is not the end of the road, though. Xpatweb, South Africa’s premium work permit and immigration provider, has found that providing the government with sufficient, data-driven evidence, could be the key to mitigating this crisis.

Data-Driven Evidence

South Africa’s skills crisis was brought into sharp focus when Xpatweb released the results from its 2020/2021 Critical Skills Survey. The survey was conducted across 220 multinational and JSE-listed companies and assisted in affecting much-needed change to policy and the current Critical Skills list.

Xpatweb is currently running the 2023 Critical Skills Survey so that companies and organisations can continue contributing to change. Many companies have already participated, and we have already seen some eye-opening statistics.

Among the companies that have taken the 2023 Critical Skills survey, preliminary results show:

  • 78% of participants stated that their organisation struggles to recruit critically skilled individuals.
  • 73% indicated that an international search will assist the organisation in meeting critical business objectives.
  • 82% of participants confirmed succession planning and skills transfer is a priority for their business.

These preliminary results are tracking similarly to the previous survey. Additionally, this year’s survey included a group of questions specifically relating to spouses of assignees. The initial statistics indicate that there is undoubtedly a need for a remote working visa in South Africa to retain and attract highly skilled foreign workers and their families:

  • 93% stated that the spouse/partner of a Critical Skills Visa holder should be authorised to work in the host country upon recognition of their dependent status; and
  • 81% stated that dual career and partner issues have always been and are becoming even more critical to their organisations.li>

The results from previous surveys have been instrumental in effecting the much-needed change several industries and organisations needed. This year’s survey may be just as influential.

Effecting Change with the Critical Skills Survey

Xpatweb runs this survey annually, however, the results from the 2020/21 Critical Skills survey were key in updating the previous Critical Skills list, which had not changed since 2014. The 2022 list not only included new critical skills but with Xpatweb’s continued input, it also re-introduced several essential skills that had previously been marked for removal. These included several occupations in the trade and engineering field.

Ultimately, the positive response from the government indicated that they are willing to assist if they are provided with sufficient evidence. This essential survey provides that evidence, and with Xpatweb acting as your representative, positive change can occur.

A Few Short Questions Away from Making a Difference

Xpatweb continues to be a trusted source of truth by the government, and as such, a trusted representative for many organisations. By taking Xpatweb’s Critical Skills Survey, you can provide the necessary data and evidence to effect much-needed change.

Xpatweb is hosting a business-critical breakfast event with Marisa Jacobs and Phindiwe Mbhele (Acting Chief Director: Permits at the DHA) as the speakers. This event will provide insights into the updated critical skills list and the importance of taking the survey this year.

Visit https://www.xpatweb.com/global-mobility-breakfast/ to register now.

Participate in the 2023 Critical Skills Survey now: https://www.xpatweb.com/participate-in-xpatwebs-2022-2023-critical-skills-survey/

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Critical Skills Crisis Exacerbated by DHA Challenges, But Hope Is on the Horizon

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The South African Immigration landscape is ever-evolving. However, in the past 18 months, it has faced drastic changes that have compounded pre-existing issues and brought to light new hurdles within the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

These hurdles, coupled with the slow integration of the immigration legislative reforms announced during the 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA), have left many wondering how South Africa (SA) will attract foreign talent and curb its critical skills crisis.

The Bumpy Landscape

The main hurdle affecting the South African immigration sphere has been the ongoing backlog of visa applications and Permanent Residency permits within the DHA. This backlog has persisted since 2020 and reached a peak of over 60,000 applications in early 2023.

Unfortunately, despite the mitigation measures the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has implemented, the backlog continues to persist, placing the DHA under undue strain. The subsequent ripple effect has been an increased number of rejections for trivial and unlawful reasons. The ratio of rejected visas to issued visas is heavily skewed towards negative outcomes – a trend that has surpassed anything observed in the last decade.

Additionally, the unpredictability of the visa application process has been compounded by some embassies and VFS offices pushing the boundaries of efficiency.

These hurdles have placed a spotlight on work visas, especially in light of the critical skills crisis in SA. However, during the 2023 SONA, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced several changes to immigration policies that should attract foreign talent to SA’s shores.

Enticing Foreign Talent Incentives

Amongst the proposed changes include the streamlining of application requirements and the introduction of a more flexible points-based system. Together, these two amendments could speed up the entry of qualified candidates.

Perhaps the most anticipated announcement, however, was that of a Trusted Employer Scheme. The TES aims to directly assist large businesses in bringing talent into the country by providing trusted employers with a predictable migration process. Additionally, the government has proposed shortened turnaround times for these applications.

The President further announced the introduction of a remote worker visa and a special dispensation for high-growth start-ups.

While these proposed immigration policy changes are yet to come full circle, Jacobs remains tentatively optimistic that these initiatives could bring welcome relief to the critical skills crisis.

Xpatweb’s esteemed annual Critical Skills Survey consistently showcases that over 70% of businesses indicate that an international search will assist in meeting critical business objectives. An update on, or insights into, the status of these amendments would go a long way toward easing the concerns of many South African businesses.

Much Needed Insights

While Jacobs has mentioned tentative optimism in the proposed amendments, she acknowledges that the correct implementation is key to ensuring success. She has also mentioned that the DHA still has a few hurdles to overcome and anyone navigating the current immigration landscape requires an in-depth visa application roadmap.

Phindiwe Mbhele (Acting Chief Director: Permits at the DHA) will be joining Marisa Jacobs at Xpatweb’s Global Mobility Breakfast. During the event, Mbhele will provide much-needed feedback on the status of the proposed changes to SA’s immigration policies.

Visit https://www.xpatweb.com/global-mobility-breakfast/ to register now.

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What Businesses and HR Professionals NEED To Know About Overcoming Work Visa Roadblocks

Work Visa Roadblocks Cause Frustration Amid Critical Skills Crisis

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Over the last 18 months, the South African immigration landscape has changed drastically, causing even more roadblocks and headaches for those applying for work visas. While most of these changes have been to rectify the issues within the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), it has resulted in lengthy processing times and mounting rejections for trivial reasons.

With the current critical skills shortage and the need for companies to retain or gain specialist talent through the various work visa categories, it begs the question – how do work visa applicants and businesses best navigate the current challenging South African Immigration Landscape?

The “New” Roadblocks

The backlog within the DHA has persisted, reaching the monumental peak of 62,692 outstanding visa applications in 2023. While the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has announced several mitigation measures, such as various concessions extending the validity of long-term visas and the deployment of more departmental resources, the backlog continues to persist.

Additionally, the number of rejected applications continues to rise due to the DHA being under such undue strain.t

Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, has confirmed that she has “never seen so many rejections” in the market. While the DHA typically rejects applications for not meeting lawful criteria, there seems to be a trend of rejections based on arbitrary and frivolous reasons.

Xpatweb has seen several rejected visas stating that applicants had filed the application incorrectly, despite this not being the case.

Further, Xpatweb has noted that some Embassies and their VFS offices abroad have pushed the boundaries of efficiency – only adding to an already unpredictable application process. These challenges continue to leave many businesses and applications with open work visa applications feeling frustrated and unsure of where to turn next.

While these hindrances are not going anywhere any time soon, a well-planned work visa application roadmap can guide the way.

Alternative Routes

Due to the many hurdles currently in the way of work visa applicants, the chances of needing an alternative strategy has been raised. So much so that Xpatweb has found itself taking a legal approach to resolving any delays in the processing times of work visa applications – especially where clients no longer have the luxury of time and risk losing critical resources.

The “Legal Escalation Method” is a three-step approach that places the DHA or an Embassy under pressure to ensure a reasonable outcome.
Jacobs has stated that while this approach is not one the firm takes lightly, it has had a “massive positive impact.”

A Way Forward

Navigating the work visa application process will continue to be challenging for individuals, HR professionals and businesses. However, it has become clear that understanding the intricacies of the various work visa categories, their qualifying criteria and being fully prepared for every aspect of the application process does wonders for ensuring a positive outcome.

Xpatweb is hosting a business-critical breakfast event with Marisa Jacobs and Phindiwe Mbhele (Acting Chief Director: Permits at the DHA) as the speakers. This event will unpack the biggest topics affecting the South African immigration landscape and is a must for HR and mobility professionals.

Visit https://www.xpatweb.com/global-mobility-breakfast/ to register now.

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