Question NW3831 to the Minister of Home Affairs
08 December 2023 - NW3831
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether there are any specific challenges and/or constraints within his department that have contributed to the delays in visa processing; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what strategies are being implemented to overcome the challenges; (2) (a) how is his department communicating with applicants who are experiencing delays in their visa applications and (b) what support mechanisms are in place to provide (i) information and (ii) assistance to those affected by the delays; (3) what steps has he taken to (a) address the backlog of visa applications and (b) improve the efficiency of the visa application and processing system, with the aim of reducing delays and ensuring a smoother application process for future applicants; (4) on what date is it envisaged that issues of certain applicants (details furnished) will be attended to?
Reply:
1) In responding to your question, I think it is very important to mention that South Africa has 17 (seventeen) different types of visas. Not all of them have any challenges and not all of them have backlogs. It would have helped for the question to be specific on the type of visas backlog being referred to. Be that as it may, challenges with visas are mostly dependent’s visas, like spousal visas and relative’s visas as well as Permanent Residence visas which developed a huge backlog during Covid Lockdown as international travel was forbidden.
(2)(a) The Department issued a notice in March 2023, where the applicants with long term visa, permit and waiver applications were extended to end December 2023, which was published on its website, social media and through the Visa Facilitation Centre.
(2)(b) The information is shared on the website and other social platforms. The department is in the process of reviewing its current extension to accommodate those awaiting long term applications of December 2023 and will announce its decision through the various media platforms.
(3)(a) The department has developed a plan to address the backlogs. The plan aims to move the older Temporary Residency Visas and Permanent Residency Permits applications concurrently with the current work.
(3)(b) The department is currently engaging stakeholders such as Banks and SAQA to assist in reducing turnaround times for the verifications. Since the e-Visa system is working so well in timeously issuing the tourist / visitor’s visa, the department is presently working on piloting it for three additional visa categories.
4) It is envisaged that with the approval of delegations and the implementation of the backlog plan, the Visa and Permits will be reduced or finished by end November 2024.
END