FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What medical measures do I have to undergo before entering South Africa?
All international travellers, including South African citizens, entering South Africa will be required to complete and submit the prescribed Health Form and hand it to Health officials and Immigration officers upon arrival. All travellers will be subjected to medical screening for COVID-19 upon entering South Africa and if required, as well as isolation or quarantine procedures for a period of 14 days. Over and above the normal immigration requirements, entry into South Africa is subject to a passenger’s cooperation with officials conducting tests.
*This is further subject to the international travel ban imposed on South Africa and upliftment thereof.
2. I currently have a valid visa that is due to expire soon after the lockdown, can I extend my visa?
Where you have an Intra-Company Transfer work visa and have reached the maximum 4 year period, or a visitor’s visa already extended to the maximum 6 month period, and do not plan to depart South Africa before the expiry of your current visa, you will be able to extend your visa per ‘Immigration Directive No 7 of 2020, 17 March 2020’. In line with this Directive, you will be able to re-apply for the same category of visa you currently hold provided that all requirements are met. This extension may be issued for an additional period up until 31 July 2020.
*Note you will not be able to change status to another category of visa.
3. Will I be declared undesirable if I leave South Africa after my visa expires?
Foreign nationals whose visas expired before or during the lockdown will not be arrested or detained for holding expired visas. You may return to your country of origin or residence after the lockdown or travel bans are lifted and will not be declared undesirable upon departure subject to departing on or before 1 July. If you plan to depart later than this date, you must file a formal extension of your current visa.
4. Can I extend my visa if it has expired during the lockdown period?
Provisions have been made by the Department of Home Affairs for those whose visas have or will expire during the lockdown period and as such these foreign nationals will be allowed to apply for visas after the lockdown has been lifted, even if their visas have already expired. They will not be required to first apply for a Form 20 which would normally be required for applicants with expired visas who wish to legalise their stay within South Africa.
5. Due to the travel restrictions and the lockdown, I will not be able to obtain all the required documentation for the extension of my visa?
If you do not meet all the requirements, you may apply for a waiver to the Minister in the prescribed manner to waive such (a) requirement(s) as contemplated in section 31 (2)(c) of the Act.
6. Can I change status or the conditions of my visa in South Africa?
Where you hold a visa, not normally allowed to change status in SA, such as a ICT or visitor visa, a change of status or conditions will not be allowed in terms of the Immigration Directive No 7 of 2020. You may extend the visa per the current conditions.
7. I am a business owner and I urgently need to travel to South Africa to attend to my businesses, and I previously did not require a visa to enter South Africa. Why do I require one now?
Foreign nationals from both “medium- and high-risk” countries who used to enter South Africa visa free, will now be required to apply for a visa to be considered entry to South Africa. Such an application will require the inclusion of a health indication with a certificate of clearance from the virus (this will apply once the travel restrictions are lifted).
SUBMIT YOUR IMMIGRATION RELATED QUESTIONS HERE
IITPSA LEVEL 4 LOCKDOWN MEASURES
The Institute of Information Technology Professionals of South Africa has implemented further precautionary measures around COVID – 19 during Level 4 of lockdown. The IITPSA will continue to operate remotely during level 4 of the lockdown until further notice. All critical skills certificates and membership documents shall be couriered directly to the applicants. Applicants should refrain from visiting the offices to collect or deliver documentation but rather call or email and ensure all courier addresses are correct.
Please contact us should you require further information on registration at IITPSA offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GHANA ON LOCKDOWN
Effective from 30 March 2020, the entire Accra and some other locations in Ghana that are considered to be Covid-19 hotspots are on lockdown for a period of 14 days. All are required to stay at home with a few exceptions.
We are awaiting guidance from the Ghana Immigration Services particularly on foreign travellers and workers whose permits and visas have/or expiring during the shutdown of international flights and lockdown.
SENEGAL SHUTS BORDERS
Tens of thousands of expatriates are being repatriated as Senegal shuts its borders amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. This follows the World Health Organizations fear that Sub-Saharan Africa could become the next hotspot for the virus, after Europe.
Land, sea and air borders are being closed down while public gatherings are prohibited and schools closed in an attempt to decrease the spread of the Coronavirus. Furthermore, the military has deployed mobile clinics as the country draws closer to a full lockdown.
FINANCIAL PLANNING INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
The Financial Planning Institute, FPI, due to the nationwide lockdown, has extended its membership renewal period until 31 May 2020. Furthermore, all staff at FPI shall be working remotely from 25 March 2020, available to process membership applications and answer queries through email and limited telephone lines.
SCHENGEN: UPDATE
As Europe increasingly becomes the hotspot for the Coronavirus, the EU announced a travel ban of 30 days in effort to halt the spread of the COVID-19. This ban will restrict travel to and from the Schengen Area. The ban is subject to extension, should the need arise.
The travel ban will affect the following
- Non-EU nationals from visiting the bloc, except long-term residents.
- Family members of EU nationals and diplomats.
- cross-border and healthcare workers.
- People transporting goods.
SACPCMP INSTILS MEASURES TO ADDRESS COVID-19 RISKS
Since the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic and a National State of Disaster in South Africa, strict measures have been introduced by the South African Government to protect people from contracting this virus. The SACPCMP has aligned its actions to such measures to safeguard its stakeholders and the public.
To further reduce any possibilities of spreading the virus, SACPCMP Registrar Mr. Butcher Matutle has appealed to the public to refrain from visiting their Council’s offices in Midrand. At this stage all communications will be done through phone or email-contact.
ECSA LOCKDOWN CLOSURE
In line with the nationwide lockdown, the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) has closed their offices from 26 March 2020 and will resume operations once the lockdown has been lifted.
The Council will not be operational for the duration of the lockdown.
SAQA LOCKDOWN CLOSURE
Due to the nationwide lockdown from 26 March 2020, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) will be closed until the end of the official lockdown (16 April 2020).
The following services will be affected:
- No evaluation service will be available during this period. Applications that were not processed/finalised by 26 March 2020, will be processed once the lockdown has been lifted.
- Clients will not be able to courier physical applications to SAQA for the duration of the lockdown.
- Clients will only be able to submit online applications after the lockdown period. The online system will further not be accessible during this time.
- Upon the reopening of the SAQA offices, new tariff fees will take effect.
VFS REOPENING – AN UPDATE
The VFS Centres across South Africa remain closed during the level 3 lockdown. VFS has indicated that provisions will be made to allow all applicants to reschedule their appointments to a valid date once their centres reopen.
We are keeping a close eye hereon and will update you the moment we receive confirmation on when this will be.
SAQA LOCKDOWN CLOSURE UPDATE
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) will continue to be closed during level 4 of the lockdown up until the end of the national lockdown. It is important to note that no evaluation services will be available during this period. Applications that were not finalized by 26 March 2020, will only be processed once the lockdown has been lifted.
TUNISIA ON LOCKDOWN
Tunisian President Kais Saied has ordered a lockdown of the country on Friday, 20 March. The lockdown has been put in place to decrease the spread of the coronavirus, following the country’s first death from the virus. Citizens are instructed to stay home and movement between Tunisian cities has been restricted.
In a later statement, the Government advised that the lockdown would come into force on March 22 and last until April 4.
The country’s land and maritime borders have been closed and international flights suspended. The country is anticipating an economic recession causing the central bank to cut its key interest rate by 100 basis points.
INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS ADVISORS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
In line with the nationwide lockdown, the Institute of Business Advisory of Southern Africa, IBASA, will be closing all offices from 25th of March 2020 until the 17th April 2020. Although offices will be closed, the institute will still be accessible and available to assist with any queries or requests through remote working during the period of the lockdown.
THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS OF SOUTH AFRICA
In response to the President’s announcements regarding the lockdown effective from midnight, Thursday, March 26th, the Institute of Directors of South Africa, IODSA, and its consultants shall be working remotely during the period of the lockdown. The institute will continue to process applications remotely, a delay in processing times is to be expected.
CCMG WALK-IN SERVICES OFFERED ONLINE DUE TO LOCKDOWN
The Contact Centre Management Group, CCMG, has implemented a work from home solution during the lockdown as they have all that they need to continue doing business as usual. Their systems are cloud based, therefore, they will maintain the same standards to their members. Applications to register with the CCMG can proceed as per normal usual process. Please contact should you require assistance with the registration process at CCMG.
INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS OF SOUTH AFRICA TO WORK REMOTELY TO MINIMISE THE SPREAD AND IMPACT OF COVID-19
From 19 March 2020, most staff members of the Institute of Directors of South Africa will work remotely to minimise the spread and impact of COVID – 19. Professional registrations at the IODSA will continue as normal as the body assures, they have the technology and tools in place to support remote working without a break in service. They are currently experiencing a backlog of applications, as such, are providing electronic copies of issued certificates.
Should you have any questions or require guidance with the professional registration process, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
THE INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS OF SOUTH AFRICA IMPLEMENT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AROUND COVID – 19
The IITPSA offices will continue to operate during their usual office hours. Until the 30th of April, all critical skills certificates and membership documents shall be couriered directly to the applicants. Applicants should refrain from visiting the offices to collect or deliver documentation but rather call or email and ensure all courier addresses are correct.
Please contact us should you require further information on registration at IITPSA offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SOUTH AFRICA EMBASSIES
Most South Africa Embassies and High Commissions are currently completely closed or are offering limited services extending only to civic affairs. As it currently stands, the Embassies that remain open and continue to accept and process immigration applications include Algeria, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Fiji, Norway, Sao Paulo and Thailand.
NEWS | CORONAVIRUS: WHAT FOREIGN NATIONALS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW
Expatriates from “high-and-medium-risk” countries currently residing in South Africa, and whose visas are due to expire, are advised to apply for the extensions of their visas, within South Africa to ensure that they remain compliant.
