Visa News & Updates
Keep up with the latest developments in visa and immigration. From regulation updates to practical guidance, we share the insights you need to navigate your application with confidence.
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Benefits of Moving to South Africa for Work or Retirement
South Africa, often referred to as the “Rainbow Nation,” is a country of diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and vibrant opportunities. Whether you’re considering relocating for work or retirement, South Africa […]
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Navigating Progress and Persistent Challenges: The South African Department of Home Affairs
Cape Town, South Africa – July 16, 2025 – The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa, a critical pillar of national identity and security, has embarked on an […]
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Extension of Temporary Visa Concession – South Africa
South Africa’s new Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, has extended a temporary concession for foreign nationals awaiting decisions on visa applications, waivers, and appeals. This move aims to protect applicants from negative consequences while […]
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Massive visa backlog in South Africa
Over 56,000 visa applications have been piled up at the Department of Home Affairs, and it estimates that they will only be processed by the middle of 2024. Home affairs […]
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Home Affairs withdraws central adjudication of visas due to severe backlog and complaints.
The Department of Home Affairs has reversed a decision to centralise the adjudication of long-term visas. That plan lasted for only a couple of months and did not go at […]
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Department of Home Affairs – Delays and Backlog
Visa extension for waiver and visa applicants until 30 June 2022 The Department of Home Affairs has admitted to many delays in the processing of waivers, and visa applications. Previously, […]
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Updated Critical Skill List – South Africa
Please see the updated Directive in regards to the New Critical Skill List for 2022 As of 2nd of February 2022, the Department of Home Affairs issued a new Critical […]
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Permanent Residency Applications open after 22 months – but expect delays
Home Affairs office / Image via Facebook The Department of Home Affairs, (DHA) after 22 months, has resumed the processing of permanent residency (PR) applications, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. […]
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Home Affairs extends office and border hours over December
The Department of Home Affairs has extended operating times at front offices and ports of entry to ease congestion associated with the festive season. Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi […]
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Foreigners are in fact buying South African bonds, new data show
New, more accurate JSE data showed that foreigners are buying more South African bonds than previously thought. A JSE director says this points to investor confidence in the government’s fiscal […]
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SA finally removed off UK Red List
As of Monday at 4am, South Africa was removed from the red list preventing entry to the UK, much to the delight of the national portfolio committee on tourism. South […]
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South Africa – 21% of adults now fully vaccinated, as SA exits the third wave
Twenty-one percent of the country’s adult population is now fully vaccinated after 6 187 people either received a Johnson & Johnson shot or the second jab of the Pfizer vaccine on […]
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South Africa Presses WTO For COVID-19 Vaccine Patents Waiver
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday asked the World Trade Organization to suspend intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines to bridge the huge gap in vaccination rates worldwide. India […]
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International Students Can Get Vaccinated
When the government initially announced the vaccine strategy in January 2021, foreign nationals were excluded from the eligibility criteria; only South African citizens were allowed to register. However, President Cyril […]
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KNOW YOUR GREEN PAPER ON MARRIAGES IN SOUTH AFRICA
A Green Paper is a government policy discussion paper that details specific issues, and then points out possible courses of action in terms of policy and legislation. It articulates possible solutions […]
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Department of Home Affairs extends the validity period of expired visas
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed which services will be available at Home Affairs offices during the country’s adjusted level 2 lockdown and announced extension dates for various documents. […]
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Top 10 Tourist Destinations In South Africa
We have listed our Top 10 Tourist Destinations for foreigners looking to visit South Africa, and enjoy all the beauty that it has to offer. Welcome to South Africa! The […]
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Department of Home Affairs – Temporary Visa Concession for Holders of Intra-Company Transfer Visas currently residing in the Republic of South Africa
In providing for the regulations of admission and departure of foreigners to and from the Republic, The Immigration Act, No 13 of 2002 directs the Department of Home Affairs to […]
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Things to Know about South Africa
General Population South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is a country in Southern Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world’s 23rd-most populous nation and covers […]
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Applying for a Life Partner Visa
Information about a Life Partner Visa Would my girlfriend/boyfriend or fiancée be regarded as a spouse? A girlfriend/boyfriend or fiancée is considered a spouse only if you and your South […]
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions: What is a South African visa? All temporary residency documents have been renamed “visas” in accordance with the Amended South African Immigration Act 13 of 2002. A South […]
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Retired Person’s Visa – South Africa
How to qualify for a Retired Person’s Visa for South Africa? Foreigners of all ages who have the financial resources to retire in South Africa are eligible for a South […]
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Critical Skills Work visa South Africa
What is a critical skills visa? It is a work visa based on compliance with the Critical Skills List. The South African government publishes a list of key skills and qualifications […]
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Airlines threaten to ‘leave’ South Africa over travel restrictions
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) early this week was in discussion with the parliamentary portfolio committee regarding Tourism and the effects that the coronavirus lockdown and International travel restrictions have […]
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Here’s the updated list of high-risk countries that can’t travel to South Africa
The Department of Home Affairs has reviewed the list of high-risk countries which will be restricted from entering South Africa under the country’s level 1 lockdown rules. In a statement […]
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Five Benefits of Life in South Africa
There are a number of benefits to living in South Africa, in this article I will mention five of them:- The people of South Africa are very warm and friendly […]
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The Advantages of Applying for Permanent Residency as a Critical Skills Graduate
As one of the fastest growing countries on the African continent, South Africa is making it easier to attract the right skill sets to it’s shores. The Critical Skills Work […]
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New Visa Laws for South Africa
The Department of Home Affairs wants to attract more skilled visitors, business partners and investors to South Africa in order to grow the economy. As a result, on the 7th […]
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Updated South African Immigration Regulations
Africa is a dynamic if troubled continent with South Africa one of it’s leading countries. This makes South Africa desirable for many. South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa has, however, announced […]
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Asylum seekers can now apply for residence visas
The Constitutional Court has ruled that asylum seekers whose refugee applications have been refused, can apply for a visa.
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Call to Enforce Animal Protection Laws in China
We respectfully asks the Chinese Government to implement and enforce animal protection laws and bring a total ban to its dog&cat meat trade.
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South Africans can visit these 90 countries without a visa in 2017
Currently South Africans holding an RSA passport can access 59 countries visa-free, with an additional 31 countries operating a visa-on-arrival system.
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SA needs more ICT skills to solve economic woes
South Africa is facing a skills-shortage in the information and communications technologies industry (ICT) at a time when people should be finding digital solutions to their economic problems.
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Tears at the airport as families denied boarding
South Africans travelling abroad will in future be exempt from a controversial biometric system at the country’s international airports says Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.
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Home Affairs to do away with biometric process for SA flyers
South Africans travelling abroad will in future be exempt from a controversial biometric system at the country’s international airports says Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.
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Court battle over Cape Town asylum seekers
A precedent-setting judgment focusing on South Africa’s new immigration regulations could see foreigners with tourist visas who are living here with South African partners being given spousal visas without having to return to their home countries to apply for the documents.
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Judgment opens wider visa vistas
A precedent-setting judgment focusing on South Africa’s new immigration regulations could see foreigners with tourist visas who are living here with South African partners being given spousal visas without having to return to their home countries to apply for the documents.
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Department of Home Affairs accused of wasting money
The case between the Department of Home Affairs and immigration lawyers, who are accusing the department of being in contempt of a High Court order, has been postponed to this month.
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Foreign students graduating from South African Universities
Foreign students graduating from South African universities in critical skills areas will soon qualify for permanent residence permits
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DIRCO forced to abandon some Foreign Missions
Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s budget has been reduced by R153 Million and will be reduced further by R1,8 million over the next three years.
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SA’s revised visa rules: What you need to know
Here’s what you need to know about the department of home affairs changes to SA’s visa rules.
