In our monthly Immigration News from Africa, we update you on important changes in African Immigration.
South Africa
VFS SA Website Issues
VFS South Africa encountered website issues earlier this week. The VFS online application portal for the Department of Home Affairs is currently undergoing maintenance, adding to the backlog initially created by the pausing of Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) applications.
Our consultants were undeterred and still managed to upload applications through sheer determination. While the site is still under maintenance, we urge our clients to report any problems they may experience.
SA to Lift Visa Restrictions on Kenya
SA President Ramaphosa and DIRCO Minister Pandor are working to lift visa restrictions on Kenya after a state visit in December. At this point the solution looks to be an online e-visa application but SA’s rollout of the e-visa system is still to go ahead.
If the rollout is successful, Kenyan travellers to SA will no longer need to deal with complicated visa processing. We’ll update our Pan-African clients on any news on this issue as it arises.
SA Travel Restrictions Eased
Travel restrictions placed on South Africa upon discovery of the Omicron variant are finally easing. The US, Australia and the UAE are planning lifting travel restrictions this weekend, while many EU member states, including France and Germany have already eased restrictions. Please be aware that vaccination mandates and testing are still in place. Be sure to familiarise yourself with Covid-19 protocols for the country you will be travelling to.
Zimbabwe
Medical and Radiological Certification
Please note that VFS Zimbabwe has announced a decrease in the validity period for Medical and Radiological certificates from six to three months.
Namibia
Branch News:
Our Namibia office is doing great things! Branch Manager Uaaruka Kandjii, along with IBN Namibia staff members, Gloria Shithigona and Ndapandula Abraham, will be visiting the new offices for Namibia’s Department of Home Affairs and Immigration in the first week of February to familiarise themselves with the new building and procedures. We welcome participation of this kind between immigration service providers and relevant government bodies.
The new offices, opening on Tuesday, 1 February, are located in Windhoek North, at the corner of Hosea Kutako Drive and Harvey Street, ERF 6971. The old Home Affairs offices in Windhoek at the corner of Casino Street and Independence Ave will be closed from Friday, the 28 of January.
Kenya
Kenya Now Requires an Understudy for ALL Class D Applicants
Previously, top-level executives such as CEOs did not have to submit an understudy when applying for a Kenyan Class D Work Permit.
Kenya’s Department of Immigration Services has announced that they now require ALL Class D Permit applicants to submit the name, contact information and academic records of a Kenyan understudy, regardless of position. A clear understudy plan must also be provided, outlining training, transition and phasing-out. If you are unsure of how to proceed with an understudy plan, please contact one of our friendly consultants for more information.
New Date Set for Phasing-Out of Old Passports
Kenya had initially set a date for the phasing-out of old passports for the 31st of December 2021. This date has been extended by the EA Council of Ministers for all EAC member states to November 2022.
Ghana
Ghanaian airline authorities are imposing a fine of $ 3500,00 on unvaccinated travellers. Please ensure you research and follow travel restrictions before travelling outside of your country of residence/origin to avoid fines.
Morocco
Government officials from Morocco and Portugal met on the 12th of January to sign an immigration agreement between the two nations. The agreement covers the stay and employment of Moroccan expats in Portugal and clears the way for increased Moroccan migration into Portugal.
The agreement aims to define entry and stay processes for Moroccan workers, rules and requirements for foreign national employee selection, as well as guidelines for accompanying spouses and dependants.
If you are interested in working in Portugal as a Moroccan expat, click here to access our Out of Africa page.
Stay updated by signing up for our newsletter HERE.
Want to speak to an expert regarding your immigration needs, contact us!
