South Africa: Point-Based Immigration System and Remote Work Visa Introduced 

Key Points  

• South Africa announced intentions to introduce a point-based immigration system, a trusted employer scheme and a new remote work visa  

Overview 

The government of South Africa announced changes to its immigration system. These changes include: 

• Establishing a more flexible point-based immigration system geared towards attracting skilled foreign nationals;  
• Implementing a trusted employer scheme to make the visa process easier for large investors; and  
• Streamlining visa application requirements.  

The government will also introduce a remote work visa and a special dispensation for high-growth start-ups.  

What are the Changes?  

On 9 February 2023, the government of South Africa announced that it will work to implement new changes to its immigration system. The government shared that these measures would be taken to attract highly skilled foreign nationals to the country.  

Looking Ahead  

The government is expected to release further information on the implementation of these changes in the coming weeks. Continue to check the government of South Africa’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.