Fresh Hope as SA Home Affairs Boosts Visa Processing
Fresh Hope as SA Home Affairs Boosts Visa Processing
The South African government’s push to digitize Home Affairs processes and expedite visa approvals has sparked optimism among Zimbabweans hoping to continue working across the border.
Gabriel Shumba, legal director at Global Immigration and Legal Consultancy, lauded the move, calling it a “relief for migrants.”
Shumba highlighted how quicker visa processing could help applicants avoid the anxiety of extended waiting periods and boost South Africa’s economy by filling skill gaps faster.
“This efficiency will reduce both uncertainty for applicants and corruption risks,” he noted.
The South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has set ambitious goals to speed up immigration services for the 2024/25 year, targeting swift processing times: 85% of permanent residence applications within eight months and critical skills visas within four weeks.
The DHA’s goals include modernizing documentation and implementing digital queues, aiming to make South Africa a top business destination.
The changes come amid record deportation figures for the 2023/24 period, with 39,627 people, primarily Zimbabweans, sent home.
Home Affairs is also ramping up anti-corruption measures, pledging to resolve misconduct cases within 90 days and intensifying checks on businesses frequented by foreign nationals.
