South Africa unveils innovative business visa system to attract foreign investment

The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the DTIC) launched a new Business Visa System on Monday. 

The Business Visa Recommendation System (VRS) is an online platform for business visa recommendation applications and went live this week.

The VRS is aimed at all foreign business owners applying for first, extension and/or permanent residence recommendation in South Africa.

“Business visa applicants will benefit from a more effective, transparent and user-friendly application process,” the DTIC said on Monday.

The main objective of the system is to enhance efficiency for business visa applicants, including faster processing, convenience and transparency, according to the Acting Deputy Director-General of Investment and Spatial Industrial Development at the DTIC, Yunus Hoosen.

“The VRS replaces the email application process with a digital platform, improving efficiency and accessibility for global investors looking to reside in South Africa for the purpose of establishing, expanding and/or investing in businesses. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to reduce red tape and simplify the ease of doing business in South Africa,” he explained.

Hoosen said that from an administrative viewpoint, the VRS is a solution for collecting, managing, and reviewing applications online. 

“In addition, it eliminates incomplete applications from being submitted, provides monitoring of applications received and finalised and provides investment-related information needed for reporting and planning, amongst others.”

“The VRS marks a significant milestone in modernising the country’s investment facilitation framework, reinforcing South Africa’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment,” according to dtic.

Key features of the VRS

• Online Submission – Applicants can now submit business visa for first, extension and permanent recommendations applications digitally.
• Document Upload – Required supporting documents can be uploaded directly to the system.
• Real-Time Tracking – Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications.
• Automated Notifications – Updates and final recommendations will be communicated through the system.

South Africa targets 15 million tourists by 2030

Government has been on a clear drive to bring in more business and money into the country through the tourism sector

South Africa has set an ambitious target of welcoming nearly 15 million tourists by 2030.

This initiative is propelled by a newly relaxed visa regime and the launch of the Trusted Tour Operators Scheme (TTOS), aimed particularly at attracting visitors from key markets like India and China.

The TTOS is a strategy designed to smooth out the often cumbersome visa application process for certified tour operators, especially in the context of markets that traditionally favour group travel.

Currently, India and China account for just under 6% of South Africa's international arrivals. Recognising this potential, TTOS seeks to remove bureaucratic obstacles, making it easier for tourists from these vital regions to visit the country that many view as a long-haul destination.

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