Renewing general work visas challenging in South Africa

General work visas are proving virtually impossible to renew, since the implementation of the current immigration laws on 26 May 2014, when the Department of Labour took on a more significant role in the process.

Holders of general work visas, the most commonly sought visa for foreign professionals working and living in South Africa are finding it practically impossible to renew their visas.

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SOUTH AFRICAN EMIGRATION TO BE MONITORED BY THE GOVERNMENT

Following the cabinet approval of the Department of Home Affairs’ White Paper regarding the targets to be met by 2063 of South Africa’s migration and immigration status, South African citizens who wish to travel abroad for more than three (3) months will soon be required to register with the Government.

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Permanent Residency Applications Submitted prior to June 2014 – to be re-submitted electronically BEFORE END JUNE 2017

The Department of Home Affairs established that they do not have 4 616 Permanent Residency applications that were submitted prior to June 2014 on file, as per the source of their Track and Trace system.

A solution pertaining to the above has been provided by the Department, whereby any individual who applied for Permanent Residence prior to 02 June 2014 and whose particulars appear on the list published in the National Government Gazette, may re-submit their Permanent Residency applications at their earliest convenience.

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What to Expect from Minister Malusi Gigaba | Lessons from Immigration and Work Permit Professionals

As the African saying goes, a leopard cannot change its spots and the zebra its stripes. Perhaps there are some lessons to be learned, optimistic but also cautionary, now that the immigration fraternity pass on the baton to fellow professionals with vested interests in National Treasury and SARS.

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Citizenship for children born to foreign parents in SA under investigation

A child born in South Africa does not automatically qualify for South African citizenship if their parents are foreign.

According to Advocate Priscilla Jana, deputy chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the organisation has been unaware that unabridged birth certificates were not issued to such children.

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Private Institutes To Be Registered With Department of Higher Education – WAIVED

The (ex-)Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba had granted study visas to the learning institutions which are still currently in the process of registering with the Department of Higher Education (DHET).

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ABOUT HLENGIWE MKHIZE

A NOTABLE APPOINTMENT: HLENGIWE MKHIZE

Mkhize has been a vocal telecoms deputy minister and has championed the participation of more women in the ICT sector.

The SA Communications Forum congratulated Mkhize on her new appointment. “As we deepen our advance into the fourth industrial revolution, all aspects of government must be digitised more rapidly. Minister Mkhize’s clear insight and expertise as to how technology and ICT platforms can offer innovative approaches will enable citizens to have better access to vital services.”

 

ABOUT HLENGIWE MKHIZE

Ms Mkhize is currently serving as the Minister of Home Affairs.

She was born on 6 September 1952. She served as a Member of Parliament since 2009. A founding member, and trustee, of the Children and Violence Trust since 1995, had been a trustee of the Malibongwe Business Trust from 2005. Professor Mkhize holds a BA degree in Psychology, Social Work and Sociology (University of Zululand); BA Hons (Psychology) and a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Natal. She was a senior lecturer and researcher at Wits from 1990 until 1995. She was a board member of the South African Prisoner’s Organisation for Human Rights from 1994 to 1995; Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Commissioner and Chairperson of the Reparations and Rehabilitation committee from 1995 to 2003. Prior to her appointment, Prof Mkhize was ambassador to the Netherlands, had a short stint as Deputy Minister for Correctional Services and most recently served as the Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services.

Source: (info.gov.za and www.itweb.co.za)

The long awaited Permanent Residence for Graduates finalised

The Department of Home Affairs yesterday published the following Directive signed by the Minister of Home Affairs. The Directive grants the below waivers in respect of applications made by foreign graduates who studied at South African tertiary institutions towards degrees in the areas of critical skills.

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WHITE PAPER: Home affairs in bid to revamp migration setup

The Department of Home Affairs has put forward ambitious new proposals to revamp SA’s migration system to curb economic migration, while also attracting skills.

The department believes the cost of the revamp will be money well spent.

The department is due to present a white paper on international migration to the Cabinet this week. Among the proposals are delinking residency and citizenship and the introduction of long-term visas based on a points and skills system.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW MINISTER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS – HLENGIWE MKHIZE

There has been announced that (ex-) Minister of the Department of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba has now been replaced with ex-Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Hlengiwe Mkhize during the Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, 30 March 2017.

Minister Malusi Gigaba will now be taking over the role of Mr Pravin Gordhan as the new Finance Minister.