After South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Leon Schreiber, a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA) party, as Minister of Home Affairs in June 2024, he introduced a plan for comprehensive immigration reform aimed at improving the visa application process and attracting skilled foreign workers.
Since then, there have been positive immigration and visa policy shifts in a system long plagued by stressful bureaucracy and time-consuming delays.
To help you keep up with the fast-changing world of South African immigration, here’s a roundup of recent news and developments affecting visa applicants and would-be immigrants to the Rainbow Nation.
Home Affairs Improves Visa Processing Times
Visa turnaround times have significantly improved over the past year, according to the Department of Home Affairs most recent annual report. 89 percent of critical skills were processed on time, compared with 52 percent in the previous year; timeous business visa adjudication rose to 97 percent from 61 percent; and general work visas processing improved from an abysmal 10 percent to 90 percent. The department’s Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) for 2024-2029 prioritises visa reform to attract skilled workers, encourage investment and increase tourism to support economic growth and job creation.
Changes Could Be Coming for Critical Skills Visa Holders’ Spouses
“For every one highly skilled employee brought into the country, seven unskilled jobs are created, “Ashor Sarupen, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Finance, said at the Xpatweb Global Mobility Conference in August 2025. Underscoring the importance of attracting foreign talent, the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) said it supports legislation that automatically grants work visas for spouses of anyone who holds a Critical Skills Work Visa or Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa. 62 percent of international assignees say they have received enquiries from employers about the right of their spouses to work virtually during their assignment abroad. That same survey revealed that 100 percent of participants said that dual-career partner issues are important in their immigration decision-making. One option for spouses to consider is a Digital Nomad Visa, also known as a Remote Work Visitor Visa, which South Africa began offering in 2024.
Immigration Directive No. 22 of 2025 Provides Relief
To address its visa processing backlog, the Department of Home Affairs has extended temporary concessions to foreign nationals facing delays in their waiver applications or pending visa or permanent residency appeals by granting extensions until 31 March 2026. The directive ensures that applicants will maintain their legal status and not be penalized with “undesirable” status and deported while awaiting decisions. Eligible applicants can leave and return to South Africa during the determination process by presenting proof of their pending application.
DHA Rolls Out Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
South Africa has officially launched a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, a secure, digital visa-processing system that allows eligible foreign visitors to apply online and receive approvals in real time, eliminating the need for paper applications and trips to embassies and consulates. The ETA is a key component of the Department of Home Affairs’ digital transformation agenda aimed at using technology to streamline visa processing. Currently in its first phase focused on applicants in G20 countries, in 2026, the system will be expanded to all visa-required countries, and include tourist, transit and business visas.
Visa-free Travel for Lithuanians and Bulgarians
The Department of Home Affairs has approved visa-free travel to South Africa for up to 90 days for holders of Republic of Lithuania and Bulgarian passports. “This long-awaited diplomatic achievement is the result of consistent efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral ties, promote tourism, cultural exchange, and business cooperation,” said Rasa Jankauskaitė, Lithuanian Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa. For its part, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said: “This decision reflects the high level of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of South Africa and will contribute to facilitating contacts between citizens, tourism and business exchange.” Previously, Lithuanians were required to send documents to the RSA Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden or to complete an e-visa application online in advance. Bulgarians had to apply at the RSA Embassy in Athens, Greece.
What Asylum Seekers Arriving in South Africa Should Know
Seeking asylum is the surest way for migrants seeking refuge from persecution or conflict to stay in South Africa. But those who have fled oppressive conditions in their home countries are finding that Home Affairs will not process their asylum applications unless they have a valid asylum transit visa, which is issued at a port of entry. Transit visas give migrants five days to visit a Refugee Reception Office – in Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth or Musina – and apply for an asylum seekers permit (also called a Section 22). Once approved, the permit is valid for three to six months. After refugee status is approved, asylum seekers are granted a section 24 permit, which is valid for two years, allowing the permit holder to live, work and study in South Africa. In May 2025, the Western Cape High Court found the transit visa requirement to be unconstitutional, but the ruling must be affirmed by the Constitutional Court. A court date has not yet been set.
A Final Word of Advice on Immigration
International relocation can offer expats unparalleled lifestyle, professional and business opportunities, but the process of making the transition brings with it a lot of unknowns.
To navigate the complex challenges of global mobility, readers should seek professional guidance from a competent immigration advisor with deep practice expertise and local knowledge.
