Author name: xp-admin

Uncertainty still looms about whether the concession for foreign nationals will be extended beyond 31 December 2024 to safeguard them from being erroneously declared undesirable while they await their visa application outcomes, but the good news is those affected can still travel abroad to visit loved ones this Festive Season and re-enter South Africa legally in the new year.

This will require some planning ahead for multinationals and corporates to ensure their foreign national employees and their families can have peace of mind when traveling abroad while their visa applications are pending, says Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director at Xpatweb, South Africa’s premium work permit and immigration service provider.

Engineers and ICT professionals are the most in-demand skills that large corporates and multinational employers struggle to recruit for smooth business operations in South Africa, the latest Critical Skills Survey Report by Xpatweb shows.

Government departments responsible for updating the national Critical Skills List to attract highly skilled foreign professionals to South Africa, is working closely with business and the private sector to ensure an even further refined list which adequately reflects the country’s employment needs.

With the highly anticipated implementation of a fair and transparent Points-Based System for work visas, South Africa follows in the footsteps of countries like Canada and Australia and positions itself as a serious contender in attracting global skills necessary for stronger economic growth.

Following the release of the amended Immigration Regulations on 9 October 2024, the South African Department of Home Affairs has swiftly issued Directive No. 10 of 2024, providing much-needed clarity on the practical implementation of a new points-based system for work visas. For applicants navigating South Africa’s evolving immigration landscape, this directive offers crucial guidance, particularly for those with pending applications, and reinforces the government’s commitment to a fair and transparent process.