Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ South Africa is poised to overhaul its restrictive visa regime, aiming to attract more skilled workers and tourists in a bold shift from its historically protectionist immigration policies. The country’s new visa reforms, led by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, include a points-based work visa system and the introduction of a remote work visa, expected to be finalized in the coming days.
In a recent interview with Reuters, Schreiber highlighted the strategic importance of these reforms for stimulating economic growth. “Visa reform to attract tourists, capital, and skills is one of the most powerful short-term measures we can take to kickstart economic growth,” he stated.
Currently, the visa process for foreign nationals with job offers in South Africa is marred by lengthy delays, with some applicants waiting months or even years, and others facing inexplicable denials. The new points-based system aims to streamline this by granting automatic eligibility to individuals with specific qualifications, while the remote work visa targets digital nomads and professionals working remotely.
Although Western tourists generally experience fewer hurdles in obtaining visas, travelers from major emerging markets like China and India often face cumbersome paperwork requirements. The visa overhaul is expected to simplify the process for these groups, opening up lucrative tourism opportunities.
These reforms come at a time when immigration remains a sensitive issue in South Africa. With a high unemployment rate of around 33%, foreign nationals—especially from other African nations—have frequently been scapegoated for taking local jobs. Despite this, Schreiber pushed back on the narrative that economic growth and addressing xenophobia are incompatible. “It’s a false dichotomy to suggest that we cannot grow the economy and combat xenophobia. Skilled foreigners can contribute to job creation,” he remarked.
As a member of the Democratic Alliance, which recently formed a coalition government with the African National Congress, Schreiber has been vocal about the failures of the existing visa system. Since taking office in July, he has addressed a backlog of 306,000 visa applications, some pending for over a decade. His team has already processed 62% of these applications by adding resources and extending work hours.
The visa reforms are part of a larger effort to improve South Africa’s global competitiveness and attract the skills and investments necessary to revitalize the economy.
