Immigration reform causes massive backlog

Foreign companies which invest billions of rands in SA have been waiting for more than seven months to obtain work visas for core personnel, Rapport reports. This is blamed on a decision by the Department of Home Affairs to centralise work visa applications in the office of the director-general in Pretoria while applicants could previouslt apply at any South African embassy around the world. Jean-Claude Lasserre, chairperson of French Trade Advisers, said the more than 370 French companies investing in SA could soon choose to relocate their businesses. ‘Let me make it clear: 99% of the people we appoint are South Africans, but we also need people with specific expertise and top management to be brought in from France.’ Immigration lawyer Gary Eisenberg said the backlog increased dramatically due to the policy change. Applicants also have to submit their passport with their applications and then wait several months for a response. According to Eisenberg, an official in the department told him the backlog is currently 40 000 to 50 000 applications. Bianca Rutherfoord-Jones, immigration attorney from Webber Wentzel, said the aim of the centralisation is to ensure consistency, but the consequences were not fully considered.