Tourism industry frustrations over delays in implementing South Africa’s remote work visa have resurfaced following the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) withdrawal of Immigration Act amendments to accommodate high-spending digital nomads.
On March 28, DHA Minister Aaron Motsoaledi officially gazetted the Second Amendment of the Immigration Regulations, introducing a long-awaited remote working visa that would allow foreign nationals (earning no less than R1 million (€50 200) per year) employed by foreign employers to work remotely from South Africa.
The amendments were, however, incorrectly gazetted a day before the closing date for public comments, prompting Motsoaledi to withdraw them on April 12.
South Africa’s tourism industry, including leading associations such as SATSA and FEDHASA, has long been calling for the implementation of a remote working visa, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promise more than two years ago that the country would introduce the measure under an overarching initiative to review the work visa regime. The draft amendments also cover the streamlining of documentation required for visa applications, the frequent updating of the country’s Critical Skills List and the introduction of a point-based system for general work visas, along with the expansion of capacity at immigration services.
Cape Town calls for clarity
City of Cape Town MMC for Economic Development James Vos – a strong advocate for the remote working visa – released a press statement on Thursday (May 9), bemoaning Motsoaledi’s withdrawal.
“The DHA must urgently provide clarity for tourism industry businesses and hopeful travellers on the status quo of the long-awaited remote work visa. The visa should have long ago been implemented but just as it looked as if it was finally out of the gate, the department scored a series of own goals of comedic yet infuriating proportions,” Vos said.
With visa processing delays at the DHA already a hindrance to inbound tourism, Vos said the latest delay compounded the frustration voiced by the industry.
“The hundreds of thousands of employees working in the tourism industry, not to mention those in need of jobs, can ill afford yet more chaos caused by the department. Businesses in countless more industries are equally frustrated as the skilled staff they need are unable to get into the country due to unprocessed visas.”
Cape Town has embarked on a number of proactive measures to welcome more digital nomads, including a partnership with Airbnb to highlight the city’s destination value for remote workers.
“A fully functioning visa system would be a boon to our country’s economy, driving investments and jobs for millions of desperate South Africans. I urge President Cyril Ramaphosa to exert pressure on the DHA to get this done.”
