Speed is now of the essence, as Operation Vulindlela report on Remote Working VISA completed
9 November 2022
I welcome the confirmation by the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs, Mr L.T. Makhode, in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament this morning that a report containing recommendations on the adoption of a start-up and remote work VISA, amongst others, has now been completed.
As an Operation Vulindlela priority, this report has been finalised and submitted to the Department of Home Affairs, and we look forward to it being made public soon.
While this is a positive development which we welcome, it is a growing concern that the process is taking as long as it is.
Other destinations have moved with pace to introduce this job-creating VISA, including our neighbour, Namibia, and already they are benefiting from this being in place. There is no need to wait another year for a measure that would be hugely beneficial to the South African economy.
This was made clear in the Western Cape Government’s constructive proposal to the Department of Home Affairs, first submitted May 2021 and again in September 2022.
This proposal sets out recommendations that would enable the introduction of this VISA within the existing legal framework, through amendments to Immigration Act 13 of 2002 regulations – without needing to amend the Immigration Act, which is a lengthy process.
The reality is that the longer South Africa waits to introduce this VISA, the more we will lose out on the clear digital nomad trend as well as the economic spin-offs from those who already have jobs elsewhere in the world and who are simply looking to enjoy their work from our beautiful country.
Speed is therefore of the essence, and we now hope to have an announcement on its introduction sooner rather than later.
Issued by Georgina Maree, Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities (Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism), 9 November 2022
