SA Introduces Remote Work Visa and Points-Based System in Landmark Reform

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber hailed the reforms as the “most progressive and pro-jobs regulatory changes South Africa has seen in decades.”

The Department of Home Affairs has officially gazetted the Remote Work Visitor Visa and a new Points-Based System for work visas, signaling a major step in South Africa’s efforts to overhaul its visa regime. These reforms were part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s July 2024 mandate, focused on attracting skills and investment to boost tourism and create jobs under the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) vision.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber hailed the reforms as the “most progressive and pro-jobs regulatory changes South Africa has seen in decades.” He emphasized that these new visa systems are designed to attract foreign investment and skilled workers while fostering economic growth.

The Remote Work Visa enables highly paid individuals employed abroad to live and spend in South Africa, supporting the economy without competing with local workers. This visa will contribute to Value-Added Tax (VAT) revenues as these foreign workers spend on South African goods and services.

The new Points-Based System for work visas brings transparency and efficiency by introducing a clear points scale for determining eligibility for Critical Skills or General Work Visas. A new income threshold of R650,796 for General Work Visa applicants will protect lower-wage jobs while focusing on injecting high-end skills into the market.

Research by the Reserve Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute indicates that increasing high-end skills by just 0.02% of the population can raise annual economic growth by up to 1.2% and create seven new jobs for every skilled worker added to the economy.

As a short-term measure, applicants for these new visas can submit applications through existing service providers and South African missions abroad while the department transitions to an entirely online system.

Minister Schreiber reaffirmed the GNU’s commitment to fighting corruption through these reforms, which are expected to help grow the economy and create jobs. He acknowledged the support of the Presidency and Operation Vulindlela, South Africa’s initiative to fast-track structural reforms.