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.
Leanne Cottrell
As Head of Immigration with Sterling Lexicon, Leanne leads a team of specialists who are responsible for ensuring the entire immigration process is smooth and stress-free for clients, assignees and their accompanying family members. She brings over ten years of experience in strategic immigration management, planning and consultation to her role, and has cultivated invaluable knowledge and experience in processing countless global migration applications. As a trusted partner, she consults with clients on everything from policy considerations and cost or efficiency improvements, to the impact of opening offices in new locations. Leanne is a frequent presenter and author on global immigration topics and trends.
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