COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown in South Africa 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 confirmed that all visas that expired during lockdown will be extended until 31 January 2021.
*The Department of Co-Operative Governance, on the 11th of January 2021, further extended expired Visas to 31 March 2021.
We continue to encourage the preparation of renewal applications to be ready for submission. Since we anticipate a delay in processing of applications due to the adherence of COVID-19 procedures and protocols from the respective visa offices. It is therefore encouraged that visa applications be prepared and submitted soonest to ensure timeous travels.
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.
We have a well-established immigration team at Xpatweb that can shed some light on the process to follow and discuss visa concessions that are currently available.
Xpatweb conducted a survey during the peak of COVID-19 Restrictions in South Africa. The Work Visa Risk Impact survey gave a sense of how the lockdown is impacting expat workers within South Africa.
On 30 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa once again addressed the nation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and provided an update on the country-wide “lockdown”. He delivered a clear and concise message showing a deep understanding and care for the current plight of the nation. However, it is clear that he is a visibly strained man as South Africa and the rest of the world remain under siege from this invisible enemy.
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus in South Africa and the declaration of a national disaster, employers may be facing uncertainty about the status of their expatriate employees, an emigration expert has said. Marisa Jacobs, managing director at Xpatweb, described the situation as “uncharted territory”. She answered some practical questions for employers of foreign nationals.
The Department of Home Affairs has made some concessions to foreign nationals in South Africa whose visas are about to expire and where travelling to their home countries is not an option. The department issued a directive that allows for the extension of all Chinese nationals in SA whose visas are about to expire to remain in the country until 31 July.
The Coronavirus outbreak has impacted many foreign nationals finding themselves at the end of the validity of their Intra Company Transfer Work Visas or Short-Term Visas and in need to travel back to their home country to apply for new visas to extend their stay. In response to growing reports about the severity of the virus, The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in February issued a Directive for Chinese Nationals allowing them to renew their visas in SA in the short term.