Thursday, May 23, 2024 South Africa ‘s skill shortage has received a significant boost following the introduction of a new remote working visa . This development was announced by Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Home Affairs, who signed off on and gazetted amendments to the immigration regulations.
The new visa aims to attract foreigners who wish to work, stay, and spend in South Africa, enhancing the country’s tourism and local economy. The amendments, gazetted on Monday, May 20, 2024, introduce a remote working visa as part of the visitor’s visa category under section 11(1)(b) of the Immigration Act. This visa allows foreigners to work remotely for a foreign employer while residing in South Africa.
The draft Second Amendment of the Immigration was published on February 8 and was open for public submissions until March 29. The new remote working visa is designed to assist large conglomerates facing delays in work permit processing and address the shortage of skilled workers. This move is expected to streamline the process for attracting and retaining talented professionals in South Africa.
The City of Cape Town has welcomed the introduction of the remote working visa, viewing it as a significant opportunity to enhance the tourism sector. James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, expressed his excitement about the amendments. The introduction of the remote working visa is expected to bring numerous benefits to South Africa’s travel and tourism .
