South Africa's Visa Overhaul: A New Dawn for Skilled Workers and Tourists

South Africa plans to reform its visa regulations to attract skilled workers and tourists, introducing a new points-based system for work visas and a remote work visa. Aiming to stimulate economic growth, these changes seek to address the country's unemployment and anti-immigrant challenges.

South Africa is set to reform its stringent visa regulations, aiming to draw more skilled workers and tourists, as announced by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. This move marks a significant policy shift from the historically criticized immigration practices.

The immediate reforms will introduce a points-based work visa system that ensures eligibility for applicants with specified qualifications, along with a remote work visa. According to Schreiber, these changes are intended to kickstart economic growth by attracting tourists, capital, and skills, and are expected to be implemented shortly.

The current visa system has been criticized for being cumbersome, with foreign candidates facing lengthy waits or unexplained denials. Western tourists typically receive visas on arrival, while Chinese and Indian visitors encounter demanding paperwork. Schreiber, from the Democratic Alliance party, argues that skilled immigrants can help tackle unemployment and counter xenophobic narratives while urging his coalition partners to support these reforms.

(With inputs from agencies.)