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Permanent residence (PR) may be granted to a foreign national who is in possession of five (5) continuous work visas, with the exception of an intra company transfer, corporate worker and ZEP visas. A permanent employment contract must be submitted with this PR application as well as a confirmation from the company that the employee is continuously and permanently employed. The confirmation letter must also stipulate the occupation as outlined on the visa. Some quintessential documents to be submitted with this PR category are - 2 x passport sized photos Valid passport South African work visas for the last 5 continuous years or longer Unabridged birth certificate Marriage certificate, divorce decree or any relevant document pertaining to your marital status Police Clearances from each country where the applicant resided for 12 months and longer since your 18th birthday Medical Certificate Radiological Report Yellow Fever Certificate, if applicable SAQA certificate, if qualifications were obtained abroad Qualifications Work references or certificates of service (covering at least the last five years) Permanent residence for South Africa is not an automatic action - this must be applied for, in person, at a VFS office or relevant South African mission abroad. If you wish to know more about this PR category, you may reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we may be contacted on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

We often receive enquiries from applicants who lost their original VFS receipts, and they do not know how to collect their outcomes. The advice is quite simple - if you are no longer in possession of your original VFS receipt, you are obliged to visit your nearest police station and obtain an affidavit stating that you lost the VFS receipt. On day of collection, you will be required to submit the original affidavit and your passport to VFS. If you have a copy of your VFS receipt or the VFS appointment letter, please add this to the collection documents. Recommendations to avoid this inconvenience - Immediately after obtaining your original VFS receipt, make a clear copy or scan of the receipt. Store the VFS receipt in a safe place. Many individuals store the receipt in a safe place together with their passports; Do not travel around with your VFS receipt For more information or clarity on the VFS process, do not hesitate to contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we can be contacted on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

There are many things applicants are not aware of when applying for a South African visa. Below is a brief overview of important laws to keep in mind - Police clearance certificates must be submitted from every country where you resided for 12 months and longer since your eighteenth birthday; Police clearances, medical certificates and radiological reports must be submitted in original form and must not be older than six (6) months on the day that you submit your visa application; If submitting in South Africa, you need to show proof of a legal entry into South Africa; If any personal document is not in English, it must be translated, by a sworn translator in one of the official South African languages. However, the first preference of sworn translation is always English; One cannot change from a tourist visa or medical treatment visa to another visa within South Africa, unless exceptional circumstances to do so, exist; If you travelled to or through a yellow fever area, you will be required to submit a yellow fever certificate. South Africa is not a yellow fever area. You may not apply for a South African visa with a handwritten passport; Your passport must have at least two (2) blank pages for endorsement of visas and must have a validity of no less than thirty (30) days after intended departure from the Republic. If you submit certified copies of documents, the certification must not be older than three (3) months; Application forms must always be signed in original and in black ink; and Expect to submit your visa application in person, unless otherwise stipulated by a South African mission. South African submissions must always be done in person. The above points are just but a brief overview of what applicants must keep in mind when applying for their respective visas. If you are unsure about your paperwork or which law to follow, please contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we can be reached on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com We look forward to being of assistance.

As we are nearing the end of November and the festive season approaches, we would like to urge individuals, intending to apply for a South African visa, to submit their visa applications as soon as possible. In typical South African style, most companies down tools by mid-December and we are aware of the fact that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), most professional bodies, the VFS offices and most South African missions abroad close for the festive period. This means visa applicants will (then) only be able to lodge their visa applications in January 2023 if they are not able to submit by latest 23 December 2022. Please use this notice as a guidance to your timelines. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have relating to your visa application. We can be reached via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we can be contacted on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com We look forward to hearing from you!

The Department of Home Affairs has been made aware that some long-term visa applications, submitted abroad between 12 January 2022 and 31 August 2022 have not been forwarded to Head Office timeously for review. This means, these South African missions, where visa applications have been submitted are still in possession of same. It certainly sounds very frustrating to realize that applications have been laying with these missions without any action for several months. The good news, however, is that there is no need for these South African missions to forward the visa applications anymore. As per Directive 15 of 2022, the missions are now authorized to adjudicate these applications themselves. A previous directive indicated that only applications, submitted from 01 September 2022, must now be adjudicated by the SA missions. Once the applications have been finalized, the South African missions are authorized to communicate directly to the applicants. Lastly, these South African missions must ensure that all visa applications are compliant according to the immigration law and must keep a record of all applications submitted and adjudicated. If you require any further information about this changed process, please contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we are reachable on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

By law and since 2014, a foreign national is not allowed to apply for a change of conditions or status if in possession of a visitor's or medical treatment visa. There are, however, exceptional circumstances which the Department of Home Affairs set out in the Immigration Regulations. These exceptional circumstances are as follows - a) The holder of a tourist visa may change to a medical treatment visa - providing the holder of such visa is in need of emergency life saving medical treatment for longer than three (3) months; b) The holder of a visitor's visa is the accompanying minor child or spouse of a South African business or work visa holder and the accompanying family member wishes to apply for a study or work visa; c) A medical treatment visa holder is required to remain in South Africa for the purpose related to a criminal trial. This application, however, MUST be initiated by the relevant Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions. d) Lastly, as per Directive 07 of 2019, the child and spouse of a South African citizen or Permanent Residence holder may change conditions from a tourist visa to a Relative's visa within South Africa. Should you require any further information regarding the exceptional circumstances, you may contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, you may contact us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

A medical treatment visa may be issued to a foreign national who needs to receive urgent medical treatment in South Africa, which is not accessible in his or her home country. Some of the quintessential documents for a medical treatment visa are - Original passport with at least two (2) blank pages and a validity of no less than 30 days after departure from South Africa A valid return air flight ticket or proof of reservation thereof Bank statements, in the applicants’ name for the last 3 months A yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person travelled or intends travelling from or transiting through a yellow fever area, if applicable A letter from the registered medical practitioner or medical institution in South Africa, confirming – - That space is available at the medical institution; - The estimated costs of the medical treatment; - Whether or not the disease is treatable and curable; - The treatment schedule; and - The period of intended treatment in South Africa Details and confirmation of the person responsible for the medical expenses and hospital fees. In the event of the applicant’s medical scheme, proof of financial means to cover the medical costs must be submitted Particulars of the person accompanying the applicant Important Note: In the event of needing lifesaving medical treatment for longer than 90 days (or three months), this applicant falls under the exceptional circumstances where you can change from a tourist visa to a medical treatment visa within South Africa. Should you require any further information regarding the medical treatment visa, you may contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, you may contact us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

What is a Relative's visa? A relative’s visa may be applied for by a foreign family member within the first and second step of kinship of the South African (SA) citizen or permanent residence (PR) holder. This can be a biological and legally adopted child, spouse, parent or sibling of the SA citizen or PR holder and the relevant proof of kinship must be submitted. It is very important to know, though, that the SA citizen or PR holder must provide proof of the prescribed R8 500 per month and must also give written assurance thereof. If the minor child is the SA citizen or PR holder, there would be need for the financial assurance to be included. A Relative's visa does not allow employment or any other activity within the Republic and only serves as a legal residence to be with the SA citizen or PR holder. Permanent Residence: When it comes to permanent residence based on the SA relative, only those within the first step of kinship may apply. This excludes siblings from submitting an application for permanent residence based on their SA relative. For more information on Relative's visas, please contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, you may reach us on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

Pattern of rejections - We have started to notice a pattern or trend on the Department of Home Affairs rejecting critical skills work visa applications for reasons that the professional body memberships are nearing expiry or that the applicant failed to submit proof of renewal - this after the application has been pending for several months from date of submission. Whilst we usually refrain from making public statements about the adjudication process of Home Affairs, we must admit that this one has us absolutely flabbergasted. Recommendation - For those individuals yet to submit their critical skills work visa applications, we suggest adding an undertaking or confirmation letter that you will renew your professional body membership when it is due for renewal. We understand that this is not an ideal request or situation, but sincerely hope applicants will find this a comforting add-on to the paperwork. For more information about the critical skills work visa process, you may reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we can be contacted on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

South Africa is fortunate enough to have more than one visitor visa type - giving options to a variety of applicants. A long-term visitor's visa may be issued for up to three (3) years at a time and may be renewed. The below list of categories gives fair insight on who is able to apply for a long-term visitor's visa: a) Anyone who needs to conduct work for a foreign employer pursuant to a contract which partially requires activities to be conducted in South Africa and which relates to - teaching at an international school; films and advertisements produced in RSA including but not limited to an actor, cameraman, hairstylist, make-up artist, lightning and sound engineer; a foreign journalist seconded to South Africa by a foreign news agency; an artist who wishes to paint, sculpt or write. The applicant must submit a portfolio of his or her work; a tour leader; a visiting professor, lecturer or academic researcher; a performer in the entertainment industry, who is travelling through South Africa to perform; or a religious leader of a recognized denomination or religious organization b) a person to accompany the holder of a visa as set out in the immigration law - provided that the applicant is the spouse or dependent child of the visa holder. c) a person to testify as a state witness in a criminal court case. This application must be initiated by the relevant Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, stipulating the reasons for the foreigner's stay in South Africa. d) Lastly, the spouse of a South African citizen or Permanent Residence holder can apply for this visa, providing they apply for authorization to work, study or conduct own business in South Africa. The Section 11 (6) visa is also issued as a long-term visitor's visa. Should you have any questions or uncertainty about the long-term visitor's visa for South Africa, please contact us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigation.com. Alternatively, we can be reached on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com

On 06 October 2022, the Department of Home Affairs Gazetted the decision to increase the application fee of South African passports as well as travel documents, effective 01 November 2022. The new fee took quite a hefty jump, in fact, South Africans can now expect to pay double the fee from November 2022. The new fees are as follows and note the places of application- Passports and travel documents within South Africa: Adult passport of 32 pages - R600 Adult passport of 48 pages (maxi) - R1 200 Child passport - R600 Official passport - R600 Diplomatic passport - R600 Re-application with old maxi passport - R1 200 Document for travel purposes - R600 Crew member certificate - R600 Passport and travel documents at SA missions abroad: Adult passport of 32 pages - R1 200 Adult passport of 48 pages (maxi) - R2 400 Child passport - R1 200 Emergency travel certificate - R140 Very important: If you are applying for a replacement of a lost, stolen, child passport, damaged passport, emergency passport, temporary passport or crew member certificate for travel purposes, the fee shall be doubled, provided that in instances where the documents referred to was lost, stolen or damaged through no negligence on the passport of the applicant. If no negligence was involved, the normal fee will apply. Conclusion: It is advised that applicants apply for their new South African passports, if possible, before 01 November 2022.

By law, any applicant may, for good cause, request to have a legal requirement as stipulated in the Immigration Regulations waived. A waiver is an exemption of some sort, of which application must be submitted directly to the Minister of Home Affairs and usually in person at a South African mission abroad or a VFS office within South Africa. There are many examples of waiver applications, and we will include two (2) below - 1. Letter of Recommendation from the Department of Labour: General work visa applications require a positive letter of recommendation from the Department of Labour. This process includes the advertising of the position in a national newspaper and the Department will also do a search for suitable candidates on their own database. The company must (then) submit an application for the recommendation to the Department of which a site inspection will be conducted upon receipt of the application and after careful consideration they will issue a yay or a nay. Most companies, and because they most likely already identified their suitable candidate after their own advertising and recruitment processes, opt to have the requirement of the labour recommendation waived. This means, the suitable potential employee must submit an application for the waiver. The application will be forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs for processing and will be scrutinized accordingly. 2. Place of submission: If you, as an applicant, is not able to lodge an application within South Africa but cannot travel to your home country due to unforeseen circumstances, war or dangerous circumstances, you may ask the Department of Home Affairs to waive the place of submission. This application, too, must be lodged in person at the VFS office in South Africa. Conclusion: It is important to note though that - The waiver application will be adjudicated on merit and that you must submit substantial proof that good cause for this request exists; That the answer to these applications is not an automatic yes; and In the event of a yes, there will most likely be a condition or two attached to the waiver For more information on the waiver process, please reach out to us via our Contact Form on www.movingsouthimmigration.com. Alternatively, we are available on +2773 5357 534 or sue@movingsouthimmigration.com