It has been a year since President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his 2022 State of the Union address (Sona) that a comprehensive review of the work visa system was “now underway”.
Led by the former director-general of Home Affairs, the review “explored the possibility of new visa categories that could enable economic growth”, including “remote work visas”.
In 2023, Sona Ramaphosa provided an update.
“After completing a comprehensive review of the work visa system, we will quickly implement the recommendations submitted,” he said.
Also read: Remote work is not always an option – Here are 3 reasons
“We will also introduce remote worker visas and a special dispensation for high-growth startups. While the reform program is underway, we will continue to support public and social employment to provide work for those who need it.
It cannot be faulted
Rosemary Anderson, national chair of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), says there are many examples South Africa can learn from, taking the best of the best to create a new ‘digital nomad visa’.
“There’s no reason we haven’t done this.”
Several other jurisdictions are quickly benefiting from the growing number of digital nomads or remote workers – including Germany, Portugal, Norway, Spain, Greece, Dubai, Namibia, Cape Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles.
NOW Read: Remote workers are 50% less likely to be considered for promotions
Countries like Hungary, Croatia, Costa Rica, Columbia and Ecuador have criteria that make it easy to apply for a digital nomad visa.
“Questions about taxes, length of stay, health insurance and other factors have all been sorted out by dozens of countries, so there’s no reason why we can’t do the same,” he said.
Reports, recommendations
The Western Cape government submitted a full proposal to the government in May 2021, and submitted it again in September 2022.
The province proposes short-term remote work visas for an initial period of one year, with the option to renew for two additional years. Eligibility requirements may include a minimum amount of income or savings, proof of accommodation for at least one year, and proof of travel and health insurance.
Georgina Maree, spokeswoman for the Western Cape ministry of finance and economic opportunity, said Ramaphosa now had a report – containing recommendations from his own department – but three months later it had not been released.
Also read: Remote workers 50% cheaper considered for promotion
“We are eagerly waiting for the release,” says Maree.
Max Urban, managing director of Propr, a short-term rental management company, said that the trend of working from anywhere has grown in digital nomads to now almost 35 million. Propr has seen an increase in the average number of remote workers in recent times.
“Everyone will bring in foreign currency and help support the ailing economy.”
He believes it is “not unreasonable” to assume that these travelers on average can spend at least R50 000 per month in the country.
The damage is done
“South Africa must have lost billions due to contradictory visa requirements relating to unrelated birth certificates and shortening visas to three months,” added Urban.
The negative impact of the government in attracting visitors to SA was mentioned by Anderson Fedhasa.
“Each department and our municipality must evaluate whether they help or harm tourism. If they contribute to the problems facing tourism, they are not only part of creating jobs in our industry, but directly cause job losses.
NOW Read: Job opportunities for mothers who want to work remotely
“We need to start documenting all the obstacles created by the government in terms of job losses… The Domestic tourism visa protocol, [the] the lack of a proper eVisa system and the missing-in-action digital nomad visa have undermined and stunted the creation of tourism projects in South Africa,” said Anderson.
“Done” and Finished.
* Written by Amanda Visser
This article originally appeared on Moneyweb and is republished with permission. Read the original article here