Immigration
Immigration is the movement of people into a country with the intention of settling there temporarily or permanently. It encompasses the administrative, legal and policy frameworks that govern the entry, residence and naturalisation of foreign nationals. Immigration systems typically involve visa processing, border control, documentation verification and compliance monitoring. Governments manage immigration through dedicated departments or agencies that assess applications, enforce entry requirements and maintain records of foreign nationals. The process often includes background checks, health screenings and the issuance of permits or visas tailored to different categories such as work, study, family reunion or asylum. Immigration has significant economic implications, affecting labour markets, skills availability, remittances and demographic trends. In many African countries, immigration authorities are modernising through digital transformation initiatives, deploying biometric technology and digital identity systems to improve efficiency, security and service delivery. Border management agencies work alongside immigration departments to control cross-border movement and prevent irregular migration. Immigration policy balances national security concerns, economic development objectives and international obligations, including refugee protection. The sector intersects with tourism, as visitor visa processing forms a substantial part of immigration workload, and with business, as work permits enable foreign investment and skills transfer.
Immigration Updates
Expanded Trusted Employer Scheme fast-tracks global skills into South Africa, but it must also bring the right skills
24th August 2026 The recently launched second phase of the Department of Home Affairs' Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) marks another significant step towards making... →
What do March & March's relationships with AfriForum and the MK Party mean?
21st August 2026 On the face of it, AfriForum and the MK Party had nothing in common besides a taste for litigation to vent their disdain for the policies of South... →
DHA launches Electronic Travel Authorisation platform to boost tourism, curb corruption
By: Schalk Burger 13th August 2026 The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has launched South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform, which was designed to modernise... →
SA: Leon Schreiber: Address by Home Affairs Minister, at the official launch of South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (12/08/2026)
13th August 2026 This is not only because of the significance of the ETA as the flagship reform to modernise and digitally transform South Africa’s visa and... →
Home Affairs committee to seek legal advice on conflict of interest of members of the IAB
12th August 2026 The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has resolved to obtain a legal opinion on concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving a... →
Arrests, fines and imprisonment a reality for employers hiring illegal foreign nationals
11th August 2026 As Government intensifies enforcement against employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals, businesses found to be in contravention of the... →
South African clothing factories struggle after migrant workers flee
By: Reuters 6th August 2026 Weeks after xenophobic protests drove thousands of migrant workers from South Africa, rows of sewing machines stood idle at a clothing factory in... →
Trusted Employer Scheme Phase II sees surge in interest as fast-track work visa programme reopens
5th August 2026 Within days of the Department of Home Affairs launching the second phase of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES), it is already seeing strong interest... →
Nigeria and South Africa seek to ease tensions over xenophobic attacks
By: Reuters 28th July 2026 Nigeria said South Africa had agreed to bring to justice those responsible for attacks on foreign nationals, while Abuja was compiling compensation... →
Nigeria tells South Africa to curb xenophobic attacks on migrants, questions State response
By: Reuters 28th July 2026 Nigeria urged South Africa on Monday to do more to prevent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants, saying repeated violence was... →
