The red flag of the Isle of Man, featuring the white and gold triskelion, waves on a flagpole against a sunset sky.

The Isle of Man hosts 800 South Africans – boasting as popular relocation destination

Tax Consulting South Africa and Xpatweb visited the Isle of Man over the weekend of 23 September for the first Saffas festival, where over 800 South Africans living and working on the Island were hosted.

Businessman handing over a passport and credit card at a counter, likely for hotel check-in or airport procedures.

Critical Skills Crisis Exacerbated by DHA Challenges, But Hope Is on the Horizon

Critical Skills Crisis Exacerbated by DHA Challenges, But Hope Is on the Horizon as key updates to SA’s immigration legislation could come soon.

Young Asian woman in a black and white top talking at an office desk with a clipboard and laptop.

Work Visa Roadblocks Cause Frustration Amid Critical Skills Crisis

Work visa applications have become tricky to navigate due to various issues within the DHA. But there are ways to navigate these roadblocks.

Stressed woman with hand on forehead reads upsetting documents at a desk.

Rejected Visas Cause Foreign Nationals Frustration

The delays for foreign nationals getting their visas are well-known due to the Department of Home Affairs backlog. But what are your options when you sit with a poor Home Affairs decision and where your visa was rejected for no good reason?

Waving Zimbabwe flag showing green, yellow, red, black, and white colors, with a red star and golden Zimbabwe bird.

DHA Extends ZEP Again… But Is It Enough?

On 8 June 2023, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, announced the extension of the validity of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) to 31 December 2023. This welcomed decision provides some relief for nearly 180,000 ZEP holders whose futures remained unclear but a few days ago.

Magnifying glass examining a prominent red wooden figure in a line of plain wooden figures.

A New Critical Skills List, But Does It Do Enough For South African Employers?

The national Critical Skills List is a gazetted publication listing all skills that the South African government deems necessary to stimulate economic growth, but which cannot be sourced within the country. The list was previously updated in 2014 and again, only recently, in February and August 2022.

Close-up of hands exchanging a visa application form on a clipboard and a passport holder during an official application

Finance Minister Concerned On Home Affairs’ Impact On South Africa Economy

The Budget 2023/24 last week contained one very frank, but also deeply worrying, acknowledgement on how frustrated government and foreign investors have become with the South African Home Affairs.

Magnifying glass over laptop highlighting a glowing human icon among others, representing talent search or candidate

SONA Foreign Talent Announcements Enticing, But Are They Realistic?

Will President Ramaphosa’s SONA announcement on reforms to attract foreign talent really benefit South African critical skills employers? “We certainly welcome these initiatives as a win for organisations that are desperate to acquire scarce skills that are not available locally,” says Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director at Xpatweb.

Person typing on a laptop displaying an online 'VISA APPLICATION' form with personal and contact details fields.

SA Visas May Give ZEP Holders The Best Chance Of Staying In SA

Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders should take advantage of the 6-month extension granted by the South African government to apply for a mainstream visa or exemption.

Wooden figure climbing steps towards a magnifying glass focusing on the word 'SKILLS', illustrating professional development

Increased Global Hiring and Talent Shortages Bode Poorly For SA Critical Skills

A +33% global net employment outlook is being tempered by the highest levels of worldwide talent shortages in 16 years. This is according to the ManpowerGroup’s Employment Outlook Survey for Q3, 2022.