Question NW269 to the Minister of Home Affairs
16 March 2023 - NW269
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)(a) What total number of visa and/or permit applications were processed in total in the period 1 November 2022 to 31 January 2023, (b) what number of visa and/or permit applications were rejected based on missing documents and (c) how do the documents go missing when they are supposed to be captured and scanned electronically by VFS Global; (2) what total number of marriage certificate applications were rejected because (a) no proof of marriage was attached and (b) the marriage certificate was missing from the application; (3) with reference to applications lodged through VFS Global, (a) why is an applicant not allowed to have a copy of the checklist and (b) why must the applicant follow the appeal process and pay an additional application fee to VFS while the reason for the appeal is a supporting document lost by his department?
Reply:
(1)(a) The total number of visa and/or permit applications that were processed in total in the period 1 November 2022 to 31 January 2023 is 17 093.
(1)(b) The number of visa and/or permit applications that were rejected based on missing documents is 333.
(1)(c) In the Visa Adjudicating System when certain documents are not attached by the applicant, the Adjudicator will give a rejection that states missing documents. This does not mean the document was lost between VFS and Home Affairs.
(2)(a-b) The total number of marriage certificate applications rejected because no proof of marriage was attached and the marriage certificate was missing from the application is 70.
(3)(a) The copy of the checklist can be given to the applicant upon request. Providing the copy of the checklist to the applicant is not part of the application process.
(3)(b) In terms of PAJA, applicants have a right to appeal any negative decision issued by the Department. The appeal process is a legislated procedure.
END