Immigration to South Africa

Home Affairs Staff Underqualified

2009-02-02T03:05:00.000-08:00

The Department of Home Affairs conducted a test evaluating their staff last year. The outcome was rather grimm.

At least 70% failed the competency test and are appearently not qualified enough for the positions they hold. It is no wonder than that the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa is considered to be the worst run Department in the country.

Efforts are made to increase the quality of service given at the Department but Home Affairs is still a long way from being an efficient Department. Some cases can be used to show how inefficiently the Department actually is:
- the Department of Home Affairs in Johannesburg is now taking up to 7 months to issue a work permit
- If no legal advice is saught, you just might end up with the wrong permit (relatives instead of spousal etc.).
- Requirements are not the same throughout the country but can differ from Department to Department (The offices might only be 20 Kilometers apart from each other and not have the same requirements for permits).

And this is just for immigration. Have you ever tried to get a Passport, ID Book or Birth Certificate. Not to speak of how Refugees and Asylum Seekers are treated by the Department.

The most sensible way of dealing with this seems to be to train up the staff, since government departments do not follow a hire and fire policy. I just hope the people training the staff have actualy passed the competency test.

Life partner permit south africa

2007-06-29T05:16:00.000-07:00

Life partner permit South Africa

Another type of permit in the South African immigration regulations is the life partner permit. The life partner permit applies to anybody who is married or in a relationship with a South African. It is the constitutional right of any South African to have his spouse or life partner in his home country. As there are many cultures in South Africa in which civil marriage is not common, the life partnership is treated the same way as a marriage.

The life partner permit, does also entitle the spouse of the South African citizen to work, run a business or study in South Africa, as long as the permit is properly endorsed.

Retired Permits in South Africa

2007-06-29T01:51:00.000-07:00

Retired Permits in South Africa

South Africa is a beautiful country to retire. The cost of living is much lower than in most European and Western countries. One can enjoy the beautiful sea views and the endless beaches of the Western Cape to the stunning wildlife of Kruger National Park, while still being able to fly fairly cheap back home to the loved ones.

There are certain requirements, when applying for a retired permit in South Africa, but the most important one is, that one needs at least 20.000 Rand (currency converter) per month in order to move to South Africa. For further questions or full details of all requirements, contact your personal relocation expert

Immigration to South Africa

2007-05-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

Immigration

When Immigrating to South Africa, there are several permits one can obtain, depending on what they would like to do in South Africa. There are five different permits one can obtain.

The different permits are:

- Work Permit
- Business Permit
- Spousal/Life Partner Permit
- http://www.intergate-immigration.com/retired-permits-visa-immigration-south-africa.php
- Study Permit

Immigration regulations are quite tough and the process, if done by oneself, is quite stressful and almost impossible. One should consider getting professional help when immigrating. For more information please contact me, and for more information on the web, visit relocation experts for South Africa.

Work permits for South Africa

2007-05-31T06:02:00.001-07:00

If you want to obtain a work permit for South Africa, there are many things that have to be done beforehand.

Most importantly, there are four work permit categories:
- General Work Permit
- Exceptional Skills Work Permit
- Quota Work Permit
- Intra Company Work Permit

General Work Permit
Most people fall under the category of a General Work Permit. The General Work Permit can be obtained by anyone that has a job offer in South Africa. The employer needs to do certain things though, such as advertising the job nationwide, job interviews with South Africans etc.

Exceptional Skills Permit
The Exceptional skills work permit can be obtained by people that can prove their "exceptional skill" in a certain matter. The prove of the skills can be letters from a government authority or other official authority recognizing the exceptional skills. On this permit, it is far easier to obtain the permit and many of the obstacles of the General Work Permit are waived.

Quota Work Permit
There are several quotas issued each year, as South Africa is in the need of skilled labor from outside the country (e.g. civil engeneers, chemical engeneer, fitter and turner, draughtsmen etc.). The quota work permit will be issued without a job offer, allowing the person obtaining one to go and find a job in South Africa and to start working immediately once a job is found.
visit working in South Africa for more information on work permits and finding a job in South Africa

Business Permit South Africa

2007-05-31T05:40:00.000-07:00

General Information:
Want to Start your own business in South Africa. As a foreigner starting up a new business, the application process takes up to 8 months (from making the decision to receiving the permit). Generally speaking, it is advisable to apply while in South Africa rather than applying at an embassy (as embassies are more likely to turn down an application).

What has to be done:
- Registering the business with the South African Authorities (CIPRO)
- Accounting Officer for the business has to be appointed
- Drafting of the Business Plan
- Application has to be prepared

Immigration regulations dictate the following:

- Invest 2.5 Million Rand into the book value of the business after two years (foreign funds)
- Employ at least 5 South Africans after two years
- Register with the South African revenue Service

There are several business sectors in which the investment of 2.5 Million Rand can be waived.

They are as follows:
- Tourism
- Mining and Steel
- Transportation and Automotive
- Information and Communications Technologies
- Bio and Chemical Industries
- Arts and Crafts
- Textile Industry

For more information please contact me