The system, which officially went live on Monday, is expected to enhance efficiency, transparency, and user experience for applicants seeking business visa recommendations, extensions, or permanent residence under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

Wilna Barnard, Deputy Director at InvestSA, a division of the DTIC responsible for investment promotion, described the VRS as a significant milestone in improving SA’s investment climate.

She explained that the previous email-based system posed several challenges for both applicants and officials, leading to inefficiencies and delays in decision-making.

“With the new system, applicants can now submit their documents online, track the progress of their applications, and receive automated updates, eliminating the uncertainty of email submissions,” Barnard said.

“The goal is to create a more welcoming environment for foreign investors by reducing processing times and enhancing transparency.”

While the VRS itself does not prioritise specific industries, Barnard noted that the DTIC has identified key economic sectors crucial for SA’s development.

These include green industries, advanced manufacturing, digital services, and the broader service sector, which has seen a surge in business visa applications, particularly from startups.

“The rise in applications within the service sector is encouraging, as it indicates an increase in entrepreneurship and foreign participation in SA’s economic growth,” she added.

Currently, the VRS operates independently of national systems such as the National Population Register, as it primarily caters to foreign investors. However, Barnard indicated that future phases of the platform would aim for deeper integration with the Department of Home Affairs to further streamline the visa approval process.

Security and data protection have been key considerations in the development of the VRS. Unlike the previous system, where applicants had to send sensitive financial and business information via email, the new platform offers a secure digital portal that complies with data protection regulations.

“We have implemented stringent security protocols through the State IT Agency to safeguard applicants’ information and ensure compliance with data protection laws,” Barnard stated.

A key feature of the VRS is the increased transparency it provides for applicants.

Barnard emphasised that applicants will receive clear explanations regarding the outcome of their recommendations, whether positive or negative and that the system allows for better monitoring and accountability within the department.

“The system does not replace human interaction,” she assured.

“Applicants will still have access to officials handling their applications. However, it removes unnecessary administrative bottlenecks and enhances efficiency.”

Barnard expressed hope that the introduction of the VRS would bolster SAs attractiveness to foreign investors by simplifying bureaucratic processes and improving turnaround times. She acknowledged that the previous system had created hurdles for investors, sometimes leading to delays that affected business plans.

“With the VRS, applicants can upload multiple supporting documents to strengthen their applications, providing a higher level of certainty about their chances of approval,” she explained. “We anticipate that this step will encourage more foreign investors to consider South Africa as their business destination.”

Since its launch, the VRS has already started receiving applications, a development Barnard described as promising. The DTIC is now focused on assessing whether the system will effectively reduce processing times and enhance the overall efficiency of the business visa recommendation process.

“We are committed to ensuring that the dtic does not add unnecessary delays to the recommendation process. Our goal is to facilitate investment, create jobs, and support economic growth,” she said.

Barnard highlighted the broader impact of foreign investment on SA's economic ecosystem, noting that business visa holders often contribute to supply chain growth and job creation.

She cited the example of a foreign investor establishing a tile manufacturing business, which in turn creates demand for local packaging companies, thus attracting further investment into the country.

“We want to foster an environment where businesses not only thrive but also contribute to the broader economic landscape,” Barnard concluded.

“The VRS is a step towards making SA a preferred destination for foreign entrepreneurs and investors.”

--ChannelAfrica--