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South Africa's Department of Home Affairs, led by Minister Leon Schreiber, has unveiled two new digital visa schemes to boost the film production and global events sectors. These initiatives, STAGES and MEETS, are key milestones in modernising the country’s immigration system and enhancing its global competitiveness.
Visa Types Introduced
1. STAGES (Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme)
This visa targets international film productions, screen talent, and entertainment crew.
- Full online application platform
- Decisions delivered within hours
- No requirement for embassy visits abroad
- Designed to prevent lost opportunities (Minister Schreiber cited a R400 million Netflix production lost due to visa delays)
2. MEETS (Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme)
Geared towards MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) attendees, sports teams, cultural delegates and exhibition participants.
- Online-only application with rapid turnaround times
- Supports major events such as SA20 cricket and the World Rugby Sevens
- Aims to eliminate entry delays for large-scale events
Economic & Industry Impact
These reforms aim to support economic drivers including film, sports, culture, tourism and business events. The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector alone was valued at approximately R120 billion in 2023, and film contributed R7.2 billion in 2019/20, though revenue has declined since due to administrative delays and COVID‑19. Between November 2023 and August 2024, international film crews generated R148 million, pointing to substantial growth potential with smoother visa processes.
Industry leaders such as Fedhasa (the Federated Hospitality Association) strongly support the move, praising it as a key enabler for jobs and growth in tourism and creative markets. The City of Cape Town projects benefits of up to R745 million in economic impact and 27,000 delegates by 2028.
How It Fits Into Broader Immigration Reform
These new visa pathways complement the larger digital overhaul underway, including:
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for tourists, launching September 2025, with AI-based fraud detection and instant authorization at major airports.
- Expansion of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), responsible for over 17,000 visas issued to travellers from China and India since February 2025.
Why It Matters for Our Clients
Film & Entertainment
With STAGES, production houses and freelance screen talent can:
- Access visa approvals within hours
- Submit entirely online—no embassy visits required
- Minimise project delays and opportunity losses
MICE and Events
Through MEETS, delegates, sports teams and event professionals can expect:
- Streamlined digital visa access
- Rapid processing timelines
- Seamless entry into South Africa for international events
What Happens Next?
While no official launch date has been confirmed, Home Affairs has signalled that both STAGES and MEETS will roll out as soon as their dedicated online portal and digital requirements are finalised. Expect application guidelines and technical rollout in late 2025 or early 2026. We'll share updates as soon as further details emerge.
Services We Offer
At Intergate Immigration, we specialise in assisting foreign nationals and organisations to apply for all relevant visa categories, this will include STAGES and MEETS as soon as applications open. For expert guidance on South African Immigration, contact us for a free consultation here.
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