South Africa Centralization of Long-Term Visa Adjudication

The Department of Home Affairs is centralizing the adjudication of long-term visa applications received via consular posts. Going forward, the South African consular posts will only be receiving and making decisions on short term visas valid for less than 90 days, study permits (including those permissions to undertake course related training), and airline crew member visas.

While the aim of centralization is to encourage consistency in the decision-making process for the approval of long-term visa applications, due to this change, there is likely to be a delay in the issuance of visas submitted abroad and received by the Department of Home Affairs after the January 22, 2022. As such, employers are advised to plan any upcoming relocations well in advance in preparation for these delays.

For further information on immigration in the South Africa, please contact the Sterling Lexicon immigration team.