Important Updates
Important Updates
September 16, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Draft Core Skills Occupation List for Proposed Skills in Demand Visa Released
September 17, 2025 | BrazilAgência Exios: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários
September 17, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Immigration Processing Delays
September 17, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Delays for ‘Association Agreement with Türkiye’-Covered Applications
September 17, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Electronic Visa Platform Announced
September 16, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Draft Core Skills Occupation List for Proposed Skills in Demand Visa Released
September 17, 2025 | BrazilAgência Exios: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários
September 17, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Immigration Processing Delays
September 17, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Delays for ‘Association Agreement with Türkiye’-Covered Applications
September 17, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Electronic Visa Platform Announced
September 16, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Draft Core Skills Occupation List for Proposed Skills in Demand Visa Released
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Visa-on-Arrival is a Viable Option Available to Stimulate Investment and Tourism in South Africa

July 12, 2022

South Africa

Country / Territory

  • South AfricaSouth Africa

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Johannes Kgotso Tiba

At a Glance

In this blog, Fragomen's Johannes Tiba discusses South Africa's potential adoption of a visa-on-arrival policy and its likely benefits to the country's intra-regional trade, mobility and tourism.

The South African immigration system has undergone several changes in recent times, but these changes have not been far-reaching enough to enable business travellers and tourists from many Sub-Saharan African countries to reach South Africa with ease.

The adoption of a visa-on-arrival policy could potentially enable the country to realise intra-regional trade and mobility beyond the Southern African Development Community (SADC) area. The benefits of such a policy are immense - not only for South Africa, but also for its neighbouring countries. As a result, tourism would likely benefit, as these travellers would potentially have built-in visits in their schedules and could even encourage others to visit the country and the region with them.

Importance of Visa-on-Arrival

A visa-on-arrival involves receiving a visa that could have been issued in the country of origin at the airport in the destination country. Generally, it involves completing a standard form and then paying the requisite fee before admission into the country.

According to the African Development Bank’s Visa Openness Report of 2021, 24 percent of African countries currently utilise a visa-on-arrival policy. It could go a long way in easing the workload of South Africa’s diplomatic staff by ensuring that they focus on other initiatives like raising awareness of the opportunities that South Africa has in study, tourism and even investment.

Some Issues Cause Delays in Issuing Visas to Eligible Travelers to South Africa

Over the years, several factors have been raised as contributing to the delays in issuing visas to eligible travellers by the South African diplomatic missions. Chief among them is a lack of staff at South African diplomatic missions abroad. A solution here could be when the delivery of services are implemented in a way that enables those services to fund themselves. Such a measure can go a long way in enabling the state to have enough funds to hire more staff and even invest in much-needed technology to improve services.

The other factor is the internal checks that missions must undertake to confirm the authenticity of documents provided to them. This is vital, especially in countries where a high level of fraud is experienced. Generally, it takes time, as the issuing institutions may be either slow to respond or even unable to confirm the authenticity of the documents. Normally, an effective stakeholder relationship with institutions that regularly issue supporting documents can help in this regard. In some countries, such a relationship has resulted in banks developing specific letters to confirm one’s financial standing. Such letters are easy to verify with the issuing banks within a stated timeframe. Another solution is to empanel organisations that can be used in specialist areas, such as health.

Trends in Implementing Visa-on-Arrival

A visa-on-arrival policy is a simple way to boost a country’s tourism and investment. Decisions can be made easily so that travellers from countries that are members of a specific regional body qualify for visas-on-arrival. A classic example of this approach is in countries like Benin, Ghana, Mauritania, Namibia, Rwanda, and even Zimbabwe when such a visa is for countries which are members of the African Union. Additionally, in a case where it is targeted at business and other critical travellers from certain countries, such a system can be accompanied by a pre-registration programme for eligible travellers meeting set requirements.

Further, the country’s airports, where such a visa can be issued, would need to be designated and equipped to provide such a visa. This is purely a control measure, as the country’s airport may not have enough staff to support those who need visas-on-arrival. If implemented, several counters could be designated for this purpose to ease congestion on arrival at the airport.

Although an eVisa system is not in place in South Africa, nationals who were permitted to enter the country through visa-on-arrival could be moved to the eVisa system once it is fully operational. An example of this approach is Kenya, which had a visa-on-arrival before the implementation of the eVisa system. Once the eVisa system was fully operational, all the countries that were initially eligible for visas-on-arrival were migrated to the eVisa system.

How It Can Help South Africa

The adoption of the visa-on-arrival policy would be beneficial to South Africa in terms of intra-regional trade, mobility and tourism. The country could save the costs of extending its diplomatic representation abroad, thereby enabling it to redirect it to initiatives such as the promotion of the country abroad. Additionally, it would likely help to foster intra-regional mobility and trade, and perhaps motivate other countries in the region to adopt similar policies.

Need to Know More?


For further information on this topic, please contact Johannes Tiba at [email protected]. This blog was published on 12 July 2022, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Country / Territory

  • South AfricaSouth Africa

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Johannesburg][SeniorManager][TibaJohannes]

Johannes Kgotso Tiba

Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Email

[email protected]

T:+27 (0) 11 684 9051

Related offices

  • Johannesburg

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Agência Exios: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários

Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

Skilled Worker Visa 2025: Impact on UK Aviation Roles

Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Crackdown on Illegal Working in Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore highlights the need for UK construction employers to maintain compliance and manage risks.

Learn more

Media mentions

Newsweek: Green Card Update: Applicants Receive Major Boost

Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.

Learn more

Video

Permanent Access Cards Replaced by Permanent Identity Cards for Golden Visa Holders in Jebel Ali Free Zone | #MobilityMinute

Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.

Learn more

Blog post

Under the Microscope: How UK Care Providers Can Prepare for Home Office Compliance Checks

Manager Evan Tutton and Associate Naomi Nyamaah discuss increased Home Office scrutiny of the UK care sector, including more sponsor licence compliance checks and enforcement visits due to concerns over non-compliance and exploitation.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the 2025 Changes to Belgium’s Family Reunification Rules

Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.

Learn more

Media mentions

Labor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump

Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Hospitality Employers See Visa Licences Revoked in Government Crackdown

Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics

Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Agência Exios: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários

Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

Skilled Worker Visa 2025: Impact on UK Aviation Roles

Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Crackdown on Illegal Working in Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore highlights the need for UK construction employers to maintain compliance and manage risks.

Learn more

Media mentions

Newsweek: Green Card Update: Applicants Receive Major Boost

Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.

Learn more

Video

Permanent Access Cards Replaced by Permanent Identity Cards for Golden Visa Holders in Jebel Ali Free Zone | #MobilityMinute

Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.

Learn more

Blog post

Under the Microscope: How UK Care Providers Can Prepare for Home Office Compliance Checks

Manager Evan Tutton and Associate Naomi Nyamaah discuss increased Home Office scrutiny of the UK care sector, including more sponsor licence compliance checks and enforcement visits due to concerns over non-compliance and exploitation.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding the 2025 Changes to Belgium’s Family Reunification Rules

Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.

Learn more

Media mentions

Labor Law Magazine: Travel Under Trump

Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Hospitality Employers See Visa Licences Revoked in Government Crackdown

Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Brings Its Short-Term Business Travel Solution, Nomadic, to the Nordics

Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Investment Residency Explained: Requirements and Options

Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gulf Business: Why Immigration Due Diligence is as Critical as Financial Scrutiny in the GCC

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.