The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has brought its visa application processes online, with electronic visas (e-visas) forming a key part of its ongoing modernisation programme.
The DHA recently appointed VFS Global to receive and manage visa and permit applications in SA by establishing 11 visa facilitation centres across SA's nine provinces, with Gauteng and the Western Cape each having two due to high volumes of applications.
According to home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba, VFS has been tasked with automating the application processes, developing a solution for biometric intake in line with SA's new immigration regulations, and managing a dedicated call centre for efficient and timeous processing.
"Through the introduction of VFS in South Africa, clients are now required to apply online, set-up appointments and visit the visa facilitation centres for biometric intake," he said.
"Unlike in the past, clients can now pay using electronic methods for both the handling fee for VFS and visa fees due to the state. We exercise full control over the decision-making processes to ensure that our national interests and security imperatives are served at all times."
Gigaba said the move is a "radical departure" from manual application processes that result in inefficiencies within the permitting environment, which creates massive inconveniences for clients. The DHA says the previous process left applicants frustrated by long lead times and poor tracking of applications.
VFS is an outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company says it serves 45 client governments in 115 countries, and its systems have processed more than 83 million applications since 2001.
'Problematic regulations'
Democratic Alliance shadow minister of tourism James Vos says although modernising applications and processing can improve turnaround time, government's visa regulations are "problematic, and a barrier to job creation".
In May, the DHA outlined regulations indicating visa applications need to be made by applicants in person, while people requiring to change the status of their visa from short-stay to long-stay would not be able to do so in SA, but at embassies abroad.
The move has drawn criticism from the tourism industry, which notes the regulations will adversely affect the number of people willing to travel to the country.
"We maintain our position that they should be withdrawn and properly debated and scrutinised by Parliament. This should include submissions from the tourism industry itself to best advise officials on the market," Vos adds.
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