Zimbabweans hail new SA visa regime

Zimbabweans in South Africa have expressed optimism following recent efforts by the South African Department of Home Affairs to expedite visa adjudication and digitise documentation. These changes are seen as a lifeline for Zimbabweans working in the country, as they aim to reduce waiting periods and improve service efficiency, enhancing their chances of maintaining legal work status.

Gabriel Shumba, legal director at Global Immigration and Legal Consultancy and a Zimbabwean human rights lawyer, lauded the department's move. "We welcome the Department of Home Affairs' efforts to hasten the adjudication of visa applications," Shumba stated, emphasizing that quicker processing would relieve applicants of the anxiety that often accompanies long wait times. "This efficiency will also assist South Africa in securing much-needed skills to boost the economy and help reduce corruption."

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) outlined several targets for the upcoming financial year, aiming to make South Africa a more attractive destination for skilled workers and businesses. According to a recent DHA statement, key objectives include processing 85% of permanent residence applications within eight months and 95% of critical skills visa applications within four weeks.

Additionally, the DHA pledged to digitise more of its processes, seeking to streamline document verification and reduce lengthy queues at Home Affairs offices, a common source of frustration for applicants. In its 2024 Budget Review and Recommendations Report presented on October 25, the DHA committed to tackling inefficiencies across its immigration and civil services, prioritising business and work visa processing.

The department also set ambitious targets for managing misconduct, with a commitment to resolve 70% of cases within 90 working days and to finalise 80% of reported fraud and corruption cases within the same timeframe. Long-standing issues of corruption have plagued the department, as crowded Home Affairs offices often see desperate applicants engaging in bribery to expedite their cases.

However, while Zimbabweans welcome these changes, recent statistics show increased deportations. In the 2023/24 financial year, 39,627 deportations were conducted, up from 22,560 in 2022/23, with most deportees reportedly being Zimbabwean nationals. Despite these numbers, Zimbabweans remain hopeful that the department's new focus on efficiency and digitisation will make it easier for them to comply with immigration requirements, strengthening their future in South Africa.