South Africa
Employers who have registered for Corporate Account status with the Corporate Accounts Unit of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) can utilize a new streamlined visa and permit application and renewal service center that opened in GGDA’s Gauteng Investment Centre (GIC) in Sandton. The center is expected to provide four-week processing of most visas and immigration applications.
The service center – which will offer immigration advisory services to applicants and dependents - is the newest addition to the eleven immigration application centers that exist in South Africa.
Eligibility Factors
The DHA applied several factors to determine eligibility for premium processing service, such as the number of requested visas in key positions, the efforts of the employers to transfer skills to local residents, and proof that at least 60% of the total staff are South African or permanent residents. The DHA will notify applicants whether they have been granted Corporate Status within three to four weeks.
What This Means for Employers
Eligible employers should benefit from the streamlined processing center and should contact their immigration professional to ensure that they continue to be eligible for premium processing.
It is not yet known whether employers will have another opportunity to apply for the program. Fragomen is seeking clarification from the government and will notify clients when and if the application window reopens.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
© 2015 Fragomen
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