The Department of Home Affairs says it is on the way to becoming fully automated with a revamped, user-friendly Web site (www.home-affairs.gov.za) and intranet, and an online visa application and transfer system in the offing.
These developments form part of the department`s effort to bring the service into the 21st Century.
The department says it has employed a full time Web designer and Web master, and that a Departmental Web Site Committee will meet once a week to ensure standards are met.
The Web site has updated news, downloadable forms, and information for foreigners and locals, while the intranet provides staff with access to information in an effort to improve service to the public.
The department says it is in the process of computerising the visa application and clearance processes. The visa system entails capturing an applicant`s data on computer where the application is lodged and transferring the data via head office to the ports of entry.
When entering through these ports of entry, the traveller`s particulars are already available to the immigration officer, speeding up the clearance process and eliminating forgeries. This computerised visa system is already implemented at 54 SA missions abroad. The implementation of a further 23 new missions and the upgrading of 12 existing missions are scheduled for the current financial year.
Thirty-four missions are already using Internet communication, which the department says is substantially cheaper than normal data lines.
Documentation from border posts will soon enjoy similar treatment and the mountains of paper- and microfilm-based records will be stored electronically.
It is expected that the tender for the first phase of the document management system will be announced toward the end of this month.
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