A cast member or conference delegate cannot apply for a STAGES or MEETS visa. Both schemes, run by the Department of Home Affairs, let an approved organisation submit visa applications online for a whole group, on terms set by a formal agreement with the Department. The STAGES notice, gazetted on 10 November 2025, set a closing date 30 calendar days after publication. When the first three members were confirmed in May 2026, the trade publication The Call Sheet reported that the expression of interest remains open to organisations across the entertainment industry; we have not seen a Home Affairs notice reopening it. MEETS has no closing date.
The two schemes side by side
| STAGES | MEETS | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme | Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme |
| Sector | Film and production | Conferences, exhibitions, sporting tournaments, cultural and entertainment events |
| Who can join | Film producer federations and organisations, South African or foreign | Domestic event organisers with a track record |
| Opened | Gazette 53654, 10 November 2025 | Gazette 54210, 25 February 2026 |
| Selection | 140 points, minimum 120 (South African bodies); 170, minimum 150 (foreign bodies) | 140 points across seven criteria, minimum 120 |
| Terms | Memorandum of Agreement with the Department | Memorandum of Agreement with the Department |
| Status, September 2026 | First three members named in May 2026 | Taking expressions of interest, no closing date |
STAGES: film and production
The STAGES notice in Gazette 53654 invites film producer federations and organisations to apply for membership. South African applicants are scored on legal compliance and tax standing, years in operation, the number of productions they have facilitated in South Africa over the past three years, and the foreign investment those productions bring in. Foreign bodies are scored on registration in their home country, experience, South African productions and investment, plus partnership with a South African federation or organisation. A member then files visa applications for its member companies’ cast and crew, subject to risk profile. The Department’s announcement describes the process as entirely online, with turnaround in as little as 24 hours.
In May 2026 the first three members were confirmed, according to The Call Sheet: the Commercial Producers Association of South Africa, Film Industry Visa Assistance (FIVA) and Film Afrika. A foreign production can use STAGES only through a member organisation, which so far means one of these three.
MEETS: conferences and events
MEETS handles group applications for the delegates, teams, performers and technical staff of international events held in South Africa. The MEETS notice in Gazette 54210 of 25 February 2026 invites domestic event organisers to apply, with no closing date, and the Department confirmed the rollout on 17 March. Two of the seven criteria are mandatory for short-listing: a letter of support from a Minister, the Director-General of the relevant government department, or a business organisation or chamber, and having hosted an event with at least 500 registered delegates in the last two years. The notice advises organisers to apply and register their event at least four months before it starts.
We have not seen a published list of MEETS members as of September 2026.
Which route applies to you
A foreign production coming to shoot here should first ask its local service company whether it files through a STAGES member. If it does not, cast and crew apply individually through the standard route. An event organiser needs MEETS membership before any delegate can be filed through the scheme, and the points assessment and signed agreement come first, so the four-month lead time is a minimum rather than a comfortable margin. A delegate or crew member whose organiser is not a member applies for a visa in the usual way, or uses the Electronic Travel Authorisation if their nationality is covered and the trip is a visit.
We advise production companies, event organisers and individual travellers on which of these routes fits their trip. Our visa services for individuals and companies set out how we can help.
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