News
Immigration news, visa explainers and practical guides for moving to South Africa.
Latest articles
Financially Independent Permit or Retired Person Visa: Which Fits?
Both routes rest on money rather than work, but they test different things. The Retired Person Visa and the Financially Independent Permit side by side, with two profiles showing when each fits.
26 November 2025
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Visa Backlogs, Smart IDs and Digital Visas: Leon Schreiber's First Year at Home Affairs
The figures Home Affairs reported for Minister Leon Schreiber's first year, from the cleared visa backlog to record Smart ID output, checked against the Department's own statements and followed through to September 2026.
31 July 2025
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Home Affairs Centres Abroad: Faster Passports for Citizens Overseas
Home Affairs has moved passport applications for citizens abroad into dedicated service centres with a five-week target. How the network has grown and what comes next.
21 July 2025
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STAGES and MEETS: South Africa's Group Visa Schemes for Film Crews and Event Delegates
Neither scheme takes applications from individual travellers. Approved film organisations and event organisers apply online for their cast, crew or delegates; MEETS has no closing date, and STAGES has its first members.
10 July 2025
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South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorisation: Launched, Priced and Still Widening
President Ramaphosa launched the ETA nationally on 12 August 2026, after a pilot that began during South Africa's G20 Presidency in October 2025. A R500 processing fee has applied since 17 August 2026.
1 July 2025
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How South African Citizenship Is Acquired, Kept and Lost
Birth, descent and naturalisation follow different rules, and each turns on a date. How each route works, what the 2025 Constitutional Court ruling changed for dual citizens, and how citizenship can still be lost.
21 May 2025
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Immigration Consultant or DIY? When Outside Help Is Worth It for a South African Visa
No law requires you to use an immigration consultant for a South African visa. Here is what a consultant does, what nobody can do, and when a self-prepared application is reasonable.
1 March 2025
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South African Work Culture: Your First 90 Days in a New Job
What South African work culture feels like from the first morning to the third month, from greetings and hierarchy to time, language, leave and public holidays.
9 January 2025
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How South Africa's Points-Based System Scores a Work Visa, with Worked Examples
If your occupation is not on the Critical Skills List, a 100-point test decides whether a General Work Visa is open to you. Here is how each line of the table scores, with three worked profiles.
1 September 2024
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Travel Visas for South Africans: Schengen, UK, US and How to Apply
South Africans need a visa in advance for the UK, the Schengen area, the US, Ireland and Canada. How applications work, current fees and the lead time to allow.
24 July 2024
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Same-Sex Couples in South African Immigration Law
South African immigration law treats same-sex couples on the same footing as any other couple. The legal background, the evidence an unmarried partnership needs, and the route from a spousal or life partner visa to permanent residence.
1 September 2022
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Critical Skills List South Africa: The 142 Occupations and How the List Is Used
South Africa's Critical Skills List in force today was gazetted on 3 October 2023 and names 142 occupations. Here they are grouped by field, with what the list decides and what it leaves to the visa.
2 February 2022
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South African immigration is decided by the Department of Home Affairs. These are the official pages behind what you have just read, so you can check it against the source rather than take our word for it.
- Department of Home Affairs: immigration services
Authoritative for visa and permit categories, requirements and application channels.