Introduction
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs(DHA) has made considerable progress in reducing the country’s visa and permit backlog. Reports from the department indicate that over 306,000 outstanding applications (many delayed for years) have now been finalised.
At the same time, the introduction of digital systems such as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), Smart ID integration, and new visa categories like STAGES and MEETS signals a broader shift toward a more modern immigration framework.
However, is this momentum sustainable, and can it produce the kind of seamless, predictable immigration system that South Africa urgently needs?
The Backlog a Decade in the Making
The backlog in South Africa’s immigration system did not emerge overnight. Over the past decade, a combination of under-resourced offices, outdated processing systems, and surges in application volumes contributed to a slow-moving system that left applicants waiting years for decisions. The COVID-19 pandemic only deepened the crisis, with closures, staff shortages, and logistical delays causing additional bottlenecks.
While the DHA’s latest clearance efforts have been commendable, they were reactive in nature, largely as a response to mounting pressure from applicants, industry groups, and foreign embassies. Temporary concessions remain in place for many applicants, and the system is still managing a significant volume of waiver, visa, and appeal outcomes that are not yet finalised.
Rapid Adjudication But New Concerns
A key concern now emerging is the quality of adjudication. Many recent applicants (particularly those applying under work or relatives visa categories) have reported rejections citing vague or legally questionable grounds. In several cases, these appear to be the result of overly rapid assessments aimed at clearing volumes rather than properly evaluating individual merit.
This has had a knock-on effect on the appeals system, which is now burdened with a growing number of disputes. Where visa appeals once took up to six months to resolve, some are now projected to extend into a 10 to 12-month waiting period. Applicants find themselves in limbo, often with travel restrictions and job offers placed on hold.
Digital Systems a Step Forward with Caveats
The DHA’s rollout of digital tools, including the ETA system and smart verification platforms, is a welcome development. The ETA promises to deliver near-instant outcomes for certain tourist categories, and the new STAGES and MEETS visas will soon allow film professionals and event delegates to apply fully online.
These reforms are not insignificant and represent a shift away from the paper-heavy, in-person systems that have defined the South African immigration experience for many years.
Digital systems do not operate in isolation; their success relies on consistent policy application, reliable IT infrastructure, and trained personnel to manage edge cases and exceptions. At present, system downtime, vague criteria, and regional inconsistencies in service delivery still persist. For many applicants, particularly those applying from within South Africa, the digital journey often ends at a VFS counter where offline processing begins again.
What the Private Sector and Applicants Should Know
For companies relocating staff, families applying for long-term residence, or individuals seeking to extend status, we want to remind you that digital reform alone does not yet equate to procedural certainty. Applicants should always be cautious in assuming the speed and simplicity of one category (such as ETA for tourists) applies across the board.
We advise building additional time into application timelines, especially where waiver decisions or rejections may require reapplication or appeal. It is equally important to monitor which categories are benefiting from digital improvements and which remain bound to manual systems.
Delivery Is the Next Challenge
With all of these recent updates, as well as many other visa system reforms under Dr Leon Schreiber, South Africa’s immigration systems have been in positive transition. The DHA has begun to implement the tools of a modern state, and the political will to change appears stronger than in recent years.
However, this delivery on suggestions for improvements will require continued investment in institutional capacity, policy alignment across departments, and communication that helps applicants understand their position. For now, we advise a cautious optimism: there is progress, but it must be matched by resilience, transparency, and a commitment to fair outcomes by the Department of Home Affairs and its leadership.
