News / Africa
South Africa to replace permits with visas
26 Jan 2014 at 22:16hrs | Views
The South African government will introduce new Immigration Laws and Regulations in the coming few days, nwivisas reported.
On the 23rd of January 2014, a presentation was held describing what is likely to be a certain change in the Immigration Act of South Africa. In approximately 30 days, the announcements will be made and published for PUBLIC COMMENT and based on the response over this period, Gazetted and inscribed into South African Immigration law.
Major changes being discussed:
- Categories initially termed as "permits" will now be called "visas". The only category that will make use of the word "permit" will be the Permanent Residency Permit
- One will not be allowed to Change their status from a visitor visa to another type of visa. One will need to return home and make application in their home country. This is a major change and will drastically change the way the Immigration Industry has traditionally worked. Anyone reading this who is currently on a visit visa and is making plans to change to another type of visa, you must do so immediately
- Study permits will be granted for as long as the course is. There will be no need to renew every year.
- All Business Permit applications will need to be approved by the Department of Trade and Industry before being sent to Home Affairs for assessment.
- The Quota and Exceptional Skills permit will be repelled and replaced with a new Critical Skills Visa.
- The Intra Company Visa will now be a four year visa.
- All Temporary Permit applications will no longer be submitted at a Regional Department of Home Affairs, but rather through a Visa Facilitation Service Centre.
On the 23rd of January 2014, a presentation was held describing what is likely to be a certain change in the Immigration Act of South Africa. In approximately 30 days, the announcements will be made and published for PUBLIC COMMENT and based on the response over this period, Gazetted and inscribed into South African Immigration law.
Major changes being discussed:
- Categories initially termed as "permits" will now be called "visas". The only category that will make use of the word "permit" will be the Permanent Residency Permit
- One will not be allowed to Change their status from a visitor visa to another type of visa. One will need to return home and make application in their home country. This is a major change and will drastically change the way the Immigration Industry has traditionally worked. Anyone reading this who is currently on a visit visa and is making plans to change to another type of visa, you must do so immediately
- Study permits will be granted for as long as the course is. There will be no need to renew every year.
- All Business Permit applications will need to be approved by the Department of Trade and Industry before being sent to Home Affairs for assessment.
- The Quota and Exceptional Skills permit will be repelled and replaced with a new Critical Skills Visa.
- The Intra Company Visa will now be a four year visa.
- All Temporary Permit applications will no longer be submitted at a Regional Department of Home Affairs, but rather through a Visa Facilitation Service Centre.
Source - www.nwivisas.com
