The Department of Home Affairs confirmed on 23 May 2020 that international travel will be allowed for South Africans, who fall within various categories. This process requires Home Affairs approval before the international travel arrangements can be made.

Our comprehensive offering ensures you receive the necessary documentation and approvals on an urgent basis and you manage any risk and uncertainty of the process by using a trusted provider to facilitate the application.

Xpatweb recently launched a Work Visa Risk Impact Survey to determine the impact of COVID-19 within the Global Mobility sector in South Africa. The results were shared with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and South African Embassies abroad.

Subsequently, the DHA requested more input from South African Employers to enable them to optimally plan for all potential scenarios. We therefore kindly request you to please participate in the second phase of the Work Visa Risk Impact Survey below on “Complete Full Survey” that includes the requests from the DHA.

COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown in South Africa since midnight 26 March 2020, have restricted many foreign nationals from renewing their professional work- or short term visas and has moreover resulted in many visas expiring during this lockdown period. In light of existing state of affairs, and in an attempt to alleviate fears from foreign nationals within South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has made provisions for foreign nationals to apply for the renewal of their current- and/or expired visas once the lockdown has been lifted.

If you are uncertain on the processes and/or requirements pertaining to these renewal procedures, please do not panic – we have a dedicated team to provide support for both Companies and Professionals.

A special waiver request may be considered by the DHA where certain requirements cannot be fulfilled, and of which we have found the Department to be extremely approachable.

Kindly note that our services are mainly performed remotely and as such we do not foresee any immediate disruption to our ability to deliver on your service requirements. However, it is important to note that we will not be providing assistance with work permits for movement during the lockdown period.

Our services are visa related and we have a dedicated team on standby to effectively expedite any assistance you may require.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has confirmed that expatriates who hold long term visa for South Africa may now travel back to the Republic, subject to motivation outlining the exceptional need to return is provided.

A formal application will be submitted to the DHA for adjudication, and of which a subsequent approval letter will be provided, should the DHA find your case compelling.