Schreiber upbeat on clearing visa backlog by end of 2024

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Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber is optimistic the department will be able to clear a backlog of more than 300,000 visa applications by Christmas.

At an engagement with stakeholders in business, hosted by independent visa and work permit company Xpatweb on Thursday, Schreiber outlined his plans for the department over the next five years.

He identified the clearing of the backlog as one of his top priorities. He said this was key to boosting economic activity while using the process as a trial to test what works and what does not as he goes about fixing the department.

“We need to view this project as a case study of how to drive reform in the whole department. If this can be achieved, then we will be able to do a lot more,” he said.

South Africa has a backlog of more than 300,000 visa applications stuck at local home affairs offices and foreign missions. Recently, the department said it had finalised 92,886 of these.

Fast-tracking visas for skilled workers to enter the country has been identified as one of the key economic reforms of the government. In April, amendments were made to the country’s immigration laws, allowing foreigners earning more than R1m a year to take out digital nomad visas. Other amendments include the introduction of a new point-based system for work visas, which replaces the critical skills list.

Schreiber said one of the contributing factors to delays in processing visas and other documents is that the department still uses paper-based applications but does not have enough staff to go through them speedily.

“The problem at its core is system processing. There is a big need for system reforms. Look at Sars [South African Revenue Service] today, I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it’s operational. If we did it once, why can’t we do it again?” he asked.

Schreiber said integrating better technology in the department to assist with things such as the verification of documents could reduce the pressure on employees while speeding up the rate at which applications are processed.

The department’s systems remain fragmented, and some applications, especially those done outside the country, tend to get lost in the system.

Standing in a queue for six hours is not dignifying. If home affairs can work, South Africa will work

Leon Schreiber, home affairs minister 

“We are literally dealing with paper-based applications that are scattered all over the country, we need a better way to deal with this.”

Phindiwe Mbhele, director of corporate accounts at home affairs, said her team was already looking to develop a database that would track visa applications made overseas, as this has proven to be a major headache.

In April, a dedicated team was set up to deal with the visa backlog, with auditing firm Deloitte and FNB  providing resources to help with the process

Schreiber appealed to other private sector players to do the same.

“We need your help as the private sector to ensure that we reform home affairs to make it a place that can restore dignity to our people. Standing in a queue for six hours is not dignifying. If home affairs can work, South Africa will work.”

Marisa Jacobs, MD of Xpatweb and a representative of Business Unity South Africa, said sentiment towards the plans set out by Schreiber was positive, but there were still some concerns. She cautioned that in the rush to clear the visa backlog by the end of 2024, there could be a high number of applications rejected because they were not thoroughly checked.

“I am saying this because there have been instances where some of our clients would be rejected, but the application would then be approved after an appeals process,” she said.

Schreiber said the department would ensure that every application received the attention it required.

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Agterstand met visums dalk teen Kersfees opgeklaar

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As die land se toerismesektor boonop met dubbelsyfers kan groei, sal dit nog sowat 0,6% by ekonomiese groei voeg, het die minister die afgelope week op ‘n byeenkoms met sakelui en verteenwoordigers van verskeie ambassades in Johannesburg gesê.

Volgens hom wys dit hoe noodsaaklik ‘n doeltreffende departement van binnelandse sake is vir sterk ekonomiese groei en werkskepping.

Schreiber het gesê hy was bemoedig toe hy die afgelope Donderdagoggend in Pretoria sowat 60 werkers besoek het wat voltyds werk om die visumagterstand uit te wis. Met dié samewerkingsprojek tussen die departement en private sektor, glo hy die agterstand sal teen Kersfees uitgewis wees.

Danksy die span se werk reik die departement nou sowat 15 000 visums per maand uit. Dit kom neer op meer as 700 per dag, terwyl die agterstand met visums tot onlangs nog teen 150 per dag gegroei het.

Die span het vir Schreiber berekeninge gewys oor die uitsette (getal visumuitreikings) teenoor die belegging in die projek, waaronder salarisse vir die werkers. Dit kos sowat R96 per verwerkte aansoek.

“Dit beteken die Koeberg-ingenieurs wat die veiligheid moes verseker van Afrika se enigste kernkragaanleg vir die volgende 20 jaar, kos net R96 per persoon om hulle hier te kry. Dit is nou ’n lonende belegging. Dink aan die ekonomiese waarde daarvan.”

Volgens Schreiber is die visumagterstand in ‘n groot mate weens ‘n gefragmenteerde stelsel en dit was moeilik om die probleem te kwantifiseer.

“Die departement het grootliks ‘n probleem met sy verwerkingsstelsels. Ons wil die departement transformeer in ‘n omgewing wat eerstens digitaal funksioneer en waar outomatisering ‘n belangrike rol speel.”

Hy het gesê as die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstediens (SAID) die laaste paar jaar suksesvol van ‘n stelsel met ‘n papier-grondslag na ‘n voorste digitale en geoutomatiseerde stelsel kon beweeg, kan die departement van binnelandse sake dit ook doen.

Marisa Jacobs, besturende direkteur van Xpatweb en ‘n verteenwoordiger in Busa en Nedlac, het tydens ‘n paneelbespreking met die minister gesê die sakesektor sien baie positiewe verandering, maar is besorg oor te veel visumaansoeke wat afgekeur word.

Wanneer groot maatskappye teen dié besluite appelleer, is hulle in feitlik alle gevalle suksesvol, wat wys die aanvanklike besluit om ‘n aansoek af te keur was foutief.

Volgens Jacobs is daar ook verskillende standaarde en vereistes by verskillende Suid-Afrikaanse sendings in die buiteland waar aansoeke ingedien word.

Dis verwarrend en maak dinge moeilik vir maatskappye wat meestal so vinnig moontlik buitelanders met die nodige vaardighede by hul Suid-Afrikaanse bedrywighede wil laat inval.

Schreiber het in antwoord hierop gesê outomatisering kan baie help met die gehalte van besluite as ‘n rekenaar ‘n aansoek afkeur op grond van gebrekkige of verkeerde inligting.

Volgens die minister kan eenvormige vorms by die verskillende Suid-Afrikaanse sendings in die buiteland sake vir almal vergemaklik.

Schreiber het gesê as die projek om die visumagterstand uit te wis, suksesvol is, sal die departement lesse daaruit gebruik om ander probleemgebiede te takel en só ‘n algehele verbetering in die departement se doeltreffendheid teweeg te bring.

“Hy wil nie die departement en sy amptenare sien as ’n groep brandbestryders wat van die een brand na ’n ander steier nie.

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Minister Schreiber Engages with Business Leaders to Foster Economic Growth

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Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb and a Business Representative on the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) immigration and migration committee, represented various stakeholders at the session.

Jacobs highlighted several key takeaways from the session –

Minister’s Grasp on Critical Issues: The Minister demonstrated a solid understanding of the most pressing concerns faced by the Department of Home Affairs.

Various Initiatives: The Minister outlined several initiatives and plans aimed at addressing the future of immigration policies in South Africa. His proactive approach signals a commitment to implementing effective solutions. He touched on the successful implementation of the Trusted Employer Scheme and leveraging the success for more companies on a long-term basis.

Addressing the Backlog: The Minister stated that he is unwavering in his pledge of support from the Department of Home Affairs as an enabler for business. He again emphasised the importance of clearing the current backlog, with a goal to resolve it by the end of the year. This will allow the department to focus on other crucial areas in 2025, including streamlining systems to prevent future backlogs.

Broader Economic Impact: The discussion highlighted that the Minister is not solely focused on visa regulations. He is also focused on the broader implications of immigration policies on sectors such as foreign investment and tourism. His commitment to enabling tourism and other economic sectors underscores his comprehensive approach to his role.

The Ministers Accessibility and Consultative Approach: The Minister is by far the most accessible and consultative Minister of Home Affairs in the past two decades. This openness is a significant advantage for the business community, providing them with a channel for effective communication and collaboration.

This session marks a promising step forward in fostering a collaborative relationship between the Department of Home Affairs and South Africa’s business sector, paving the way for constructive reforms and enhanced economic growth. The interaction left the business community with a strong sense of optimism, and we now eagerly anticipating further details on the initiatives discussed and the strategic direction he plans to take.

We are looking forward to the Minister’s upcoming presentation at Xpatweb’s Conference, titled “Lunch with the Minister” on 08 August 2024, where he will delve deeper into his vision for the Department of Home Affairs.

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PRESS RELEASE | Minister of Home Affairs to engage with business and key stakeholders

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Despite his limited time in office, Minister Schreiber has already committed to enhancing the DHA’s role as an economic enabler by accelerating the implementation of Operation Vulindlela’s reforms.

In his recent Budget Vote, he referred to priorities such as the finalisation of the points-based system for work visas, rolling out the remote working and start-up visas, updating the Critical Skills List more regularly, and making it easier for more tourists to visit South Africa.

The breakfast session, hosted by Xpatweb, will be attended by many of South Africa’s largest investors and corporates. These companies often find themselves in the position where they must recruit professionals with scarce skills globally and thus depend on the swift and efficient processing of visa applications.

Thie Minister’s visit follows Xpatweb Global Mobility Conference held last week.

During the Conference Mr Phindiwe Mbhele, Director of Corporate Accounts in DHA, highlighted amendments to immigration regulations which makes it less complicated for companies to apply for Work Visas.

He said when the Department started the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), there were a lot of scepticism among companies, but it is now regarded as one of the most successful interventions by the DHA in the last two decades. Under the scheme, eligible employers can be assured of expedited processing and reduced complexities in employing foreign talent.

Mbhele said Department officials will brief the Minister on the TES success and are positive a second round of applications for companies to be become part of the scheme, will be offered soon.

The programme for the business breakfast includes a panel discussion, moderated by media specialist, Jeremy Maggs to allow discussion and participation.

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Visums: Elke dag raak nóg 150 agter

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Dié agterstand beteken ná ’n maand sal die agterstand sowat 3 100 wees en ná ’n jaar kan dit tot byna 36 000 groei. Die departement het onlangs gesê hoewel die agterstand met visums, kwytskeldings- en appèlaansoeke die laaste paar maande met sowat 30% gekrimp het, is dit steeds meer as 140 000. 

Mbhele het op Xpatweb se jaarlikse globale mobiliteitskonferensie gesê programme is gereed om die agterstand teen Desember uit te wis. Dit sal in samewerking met die private sektor gedoen word. 

Talle buitelanders met skaars vaardighede wat nodig is in die arbeidsmark, is onder die aansoekers wat wag op dokumente. 

Hulle het vaardighede soos vervat in die departement se lys van kritieke vaardighede, wat as noodsaaklik geïdentifiseer is vir ekonomiese groei. Die lys het ten doel om werkers met dié vaardighede makliker toegang tot die land te gee. 

Marisa Jacobs, besturende direkteur van Xpatweb, het gesê hul jongste opname toon ingenieurs en kundiges in inligtingskommunikasie en -tegnologie (IKT) is die vaardighede wat groot ondernemings die meeste elders moet werf. 

Xpatweb het die uitslae van die opname op die konferensie bekend gemaak. Dit toon onder meer: 

  • 23% van respondente sukkel om ingenieurs met die nodige ondervinding te werf;
  • 14% sukkel om IKT-kenners te kry; en
  • dis vir 10% van respondente ’n uitdaging om ambagsmanne, werkers wat ander tale soos Frans magtig is, en uitvoerende hoofde met internasionale ondervinding te kry.

In die IKT-sektor is veral sagteware-ontwikkelaars, data-ontleders en -wetenskaplikes, spesialis-IT-bestuurders en IT-ingenieurs skaars. Volgens die 2023-’24-opname sukkel 65% van werkgewers om ambagsmanne met 3 tot 5 jaar ondervinding te werf. 

Onder die skaars ambagsmanne tel elektrisiëns, passer-en-draaiers, masjienmonteurs, en gespesialiseerde instrumentmakers en kalibrasie-tegnici. 

Om te verseker buitelandse aansoekers met skaars vaardighede is wettig in die land terwyl hulle wag dat hul aansoeke verwerk word, het dr. Leon Schreiber, minister van binnelandse sake, verligting tot 31 Desember aan die aansoekers toegestaan. Mbhele het gesê die samewerking met die private sektor om die agterstand uit te wis, behels bykomende hulpronbronne wat Deloitte en FNB beskikbaar stel.

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