Department of Home Affairs to improve turnaround times for permits

Business executives, legal representatives and investors from countries that are listed on South Africa’s “high-risk” list are required to make applications for special clearances if they intend to travel to the country. Many business travellers that applied for these special entry clearances have not received any responses to their applications.

BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE MATTER

The lack of responses forced several applicants to get in touch with the officials who might be able to raise the matter with the relevant authorities. 

The Western Cape’s Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, raised the issue with the Department of Home Affairs on Monday 12 October.

“And so, today I have written to the minister [Dr Aaron Motsoaledi] to request his urgent intervention to ensure that the appropriate resource is allocated so that business travellers from high-risk countries who apply for permission to travel to South Africa receive a response within at least 24 hours,” said David Maynier.

HOME AFFAIRS REVIEWS LIST OF HIGH-RISK NATIONS

The Minister of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Tourism reviewed the list of countries, according to the risk they posed to South Africa.  The list was revised and several countries were removed from the list.

The updated list released on 19 October included only 22 countries that are considered to be on the high-risk list. This is good news for many nationalities who can now travel to South Africa as normal visitors, being required to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate on arrival.

“The review of the list of high-risk countries was done in such a way that it strikes a balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods,” The Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said.

VISITORS FROM HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES STILL REQUIRE PRE-APPROVAL

Many of the nationalities that appear on the updated high-risk list include countries that have significant business interests in South Africa. This means that business travellers from these countries would still need to apply for special entry clearance.

The Department of Home Affairs has committed to improving the turnaround times for applicants from high-risk countries who apply for these permits.

“We will try our best to ensure that responses are communicated within 24 hours,” said the Department of Home Affairs spokesperson, Siya Qoza.

The Department of Home Affairs reminded applicants that special clearance permits would be issued where necessary, but as the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, South Africa has a duty to protect its citizens.

“We continue to be reminded that the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us and we need to continue to take precautions,” the Department of Home Affairs spokesperson responded.

PERMISSION WILL BE GRANTED FOR LONG-STAY VISITORS

The Department of Home Affairs is aware that many nationals from countries currently on the high-risk list owned properties in South Africa and might reside here for several months of the year during the European winter.  The Department of Home Affairs said it would make allowances for these visitors.

“We appreciate the significant economic contribution that they make through their activities in the country. To this end, we will also allow visitors, in whichever category, who are coming to stay for a three-month period or more, subject to COVID-19 protocols,” said the department’s spokesperson.