Question NW251 to the Minister of Home Affairs:

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

What is the current status of the backlog and/or delays of the (a) processing and (b) issuing of visas as at 1 February 2024? QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NO. 251 DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2024 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 4 – 2024 251.Ms L L van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs: [51] [Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is more than quota (Rule 137(8))] What is the current status of the backlog and/or delays of the (a) processing and (b) issuing of visas as at 1 February 2024? NO283E REPLY: (a) (b) The Department has 17 visa categories. As of 31 January 2024, the total number of Critical Skills, Business, and General Work Visas that form part of the annual performance plan have no backlogs. The delays and backlogs are on two visa categories, they are section 11 (6) and Section 18. They are for spousal and relative visas respectively. The department experiences challenges concerning the legitimacy of relationships being claimed or cited in the application. It must be noted that some foreign nationals take advantage and follow corrupt methods to legitimise themselves, family members, friends, and others. The backlog in this category is 41083. Fraudulent marriages, marriages of convenience, and a special category of cohabitation are unfortunately on the increase. The department has to prove the legitimacy of these relationships as well as their notarial contracts. It is widely known that the department does not have sufficient capacity such as immigration officers who have to be tasked in investigating the authenticity of such relationships. Without proving the authenticity of such documents the department will end up issuing visas to people who do not deserve to be in the country. END