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IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? South Africa released a draft of a new critical skills list on Thursday. What does the change mean? The list designates occupations deemed critical to the economy and for which high-skilled foreign workers may be granted Critical Skills Visas. Employers and other stakeholders have until March 31 to offer their comments on the draft lists.
Additional Information: The critical skills list has not been updated since 2014. The draft of the new list is more expansive than the 2014 list and includes more than 125 jobs across a number of economic sectors, including information technology, financial services, healthcare, construction, higher education and the arts. The draft list also includes details on recommended minimum NQF levels for different professions and, in some cases, lists the applicable professional licensing body.
Analysis & Comments: While details are not yet available on when the finalized list will come into effect or how changes will affect current Critical Skills Visa holders, in our view the draft list vast improvement compared to the current list. Employers or other stakeholders interested in providing feedback on the draft list are encouraged to work closely with Deloitte in drafting a response. Deloitte will continue following the development of a new critical skills list closely, and will provide updates as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
South Africa’s government has announced changes to COVID-19 travel procedures.
Key Points:
Analysis & Comments: The reopening of land borders will allow more travelers to enter and exit South Africa. However, many COVID-19 restrictions and protocols remain in place and travelers should familiarize themselves with the current rules before traveling. The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
South Africa’s government has closed all of South Africa’s land borders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Background: South Africa’s government lifted COVID-19 entry restrictions for travelers from all countries in November, but officials said a recent COVID-19 surge and border congestion have made it necessary to restrict land border travel.
Analysis & Comments: The closing of land border points will restrict the movement of people into South Africa, though some exceptions are available. Employers may wish to consult with Deloitte to discuss their plans if they intend to have employees enter South Africa. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
South Africa recently lifted COVID-19 entry restrictions for travelers from all countries.
Analysis & Comments: The change will ease entry processes for foreign travelers, many of whom were barred entry under South Africa’s COVID-19 restrictions. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
South Africa recently announced a temporary concession for holders of intra-company transfer (ICT) visas residing inside the country.
Additional Information: The new temporary visa concession only applies to holders of ICT visas residing in South Africa during the lockdown.
Analysis & Comments: The temporary visa concession will provide some relief to ICT visa holders residing in South Africa. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
South Africa has reinstated visa-free status for citizens of 11 countries and territories.
Background: South Africa announced last month that visa services resumed for the following visa categories: visitor, study, treaty, business, crew, medical treatment, relatives, general work, critical skills work, intra-company transfer work, retired person, corporate and exchange. They have also resumed for waiver of prescribed requirement, considered in section 31(2)(c); and appeals or reviews considered in section 8 of the Immigration Act.
Analysis & Comments: The reinstatement of visa free status for citizens of 11 countries and territories will allow greater movement of people into South Africa, though entry testing requirements and health protocols remain in place for inbound travelers. Business travelers from high-risk countries are allowed to apply for entry. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
South Africa has resumed a number of immigration services after the country moved its national lockdown to level 1 on Sept. 20. The government also announced a number of entry requirements for inbound travelers.
Additional Information: Under current plans, international travel will be allowed to resume Oct. 1. International travel by air will only be allowed at King Shaka International Airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. The number of points of entry at borders and ports that reopened Oct. 1 will be limited initially. South African transport minister Fikile Mbalula said that the country will adopt a risk-based system that will consider individual countries’ COVID-19 infection rates when determining restrictions on travel into and out of South Africa. Additional information is expected soon.
Analysis & Comments: The resumption of some immigration services and international travel will allow greater movement of people into South Africa. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
South Africa will relax its national lockdown to level 1 on Sept. 20 and allow international travel beginning Oct. 1.
Background: South Africa lowered its lockdown to level 2 Aug. 17.
Analysis & Comments: The relaxing of the lockdown and resumption of international travel will allow greater movement of people within, into and out of South Africa. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
South Africa lowered its lockdown to alert level 2, effective Aug. 17.
Key points:
The following restrictions have been relaxed:
The following restrictions are still in place:
Additional information: South Africa’s president has encouraged people in the country to stay at home, including working from home, if possible. South Africa lowered the nationwide alert to Level 3 the first week of June. Analysis & Comments: The relaxing of certain restrictions will allow more movement within South Africa, though a number of restrictions remain in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Visas and permits in South Africa will be extended because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The South African government cited the unavailability of most services at visa centers when announcing the extension.
Background: Immigration services in South Africa have been minimal since the start of the pandemic and ensuing lockdown. The government has announced several temporary measures for foreign nationals who were legally present in South Africa during the start of the pandemic.
Department of Home Affairs Visa Application Centers are operating for collections only and exclusively by appointment. The centers remain closed for other activities. The government is weighing the possible opening of visa centers for online applications in limited categories and following possible online submissions, there will be in-person appointments for actual application submission.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should continue to monitor how the visa extensions affect individual employees. Deloitte will provide additional updates as the response to COVID-19 continues to develop. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.