South Africa July 2005 |
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| New era for immigration law dawns, (Business Day, 2005-07-01):-SA's long-awaited immigration regulations finally come into effect today, and are expected to usher in a new era of immigration boosting investment and tourism, and attracting scarce skills. Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said yesterday that the regulations were a product of a "consultative process" with other departments, civil society, business and other stakeholders. This consultation had led to the further delay in publication of the regulations, which were expected in April, she said. The regulations have had a stormy birth. A high court battle was waged between President Thabo Mbeki and former home affairs minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi over them last year. Mapisa-Nqakula said the new regulations sought to discourage illegal migration by encouraging foreigners to apply for different permits to legalise their stay in SA. The new rules would also create an "enabling environment" for foreign direct investment into SA and for the attraction of scarce skills required by the economy, she said. PricewaterhouseCoopers immigration analyst Linda Lamprecht said the regulations were "improved and fine-tuned to be much more user-friendly than the drafts were". Lamprecht said two key changes included the requirements for foreigners wishing to invest in SA. They no longer had to start their businesses in low-employment areas, and there was now more flexibility on financial requirements. Foreigners settling in SA will now also have a six-month grace period to provide police clearance certificates from their countries of origin. The regulations also require foreigners arriving on a visitor's permit to demonstrate only that they have "sufficient funds" to remain in SA, rather than prove an income of R15000 a person a month, as previously stipulated. "This will make it easier for foreign property owners to stay in SA," said Lamprecht. Mapisa-Nqakula said: "The regulations will place SA on a path of greater integration with the international community, cementing its place as an important role-player in a family of nations." | |
South African Migration Project (SAMP) - Queen's University - http://www.queensu.ca/samp |