Immigration reform announced this month is a huge benefit for remote working in South Africa. By simplifying the process for businesses and professionals alike through a new points-based system, international talent is encouraged to undertake remote working in South Africa, reports Daily Investor.
On Wednesday 9 October 2024, Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber and the Department of Home Affairs announced the third amendment to new immigration regulations. Experts are calling the modernised system a game-changer for attracting talent and encouraging remote working in South Africa.
REMOTE WORKING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Specifically, a new remote work visa will allow someone to live in South Africa while remaining in the employ of a foreign company. As a result, the arrangement allows remote working in South Africa – and all the contributions of foreign currency into the local economy – without taking any jobs away from locals. In effect, this allows the country to capitalise on South Africa’s attractive lifestyle and affordable living costs.
This arrangement for remote working in South Africa follows a formula implemented successfully in Portugal and Croatia in the last few years. Likewise, South Africa is the fourth country on the continent to introduce such incentives for digital workers, following Mauritius, Namibia, and Cape Verde.
WHAT ABOUT THE POINTS-BASED SYSTEM?
Plus, new immigration reform introduces a points-based system for general work visas. These will evaluate applicants based on work experience, qualifications, salary expectations and language proficiency. Furthermore, it will promote transparency and fairness in visa adjudication, thereby reducing corruption and fraud from government officials. It should be noted this is different to the critical skills work visa category, which deals specifically with shortages in expertise.
All in all, applicants are assessed based on their ability to contribute to the country’s economic development. And applications filed after the introduction of these new regulations must adhere to the new points-based system. Therefore, it should simplify the process for companies to attract international talent. Moreover, the process will streamline compliance and foster economic collaboration. Hear, hear …
DO YOU LIKE THESE IMMIGRATION REFORMS?
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