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
No more paper files stacked to the roof: Home Affairs steps up processing of waiver and appeal applications
18th September 2026 Not too long ago, when visiting a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) office you could find a room stacked to the roof with files and paperwork... →
Egyptian deported by US to Equatorial Guinea held incommunicado for a week, lawyer says
By: Reuters 18th September 2026 An Egyptian man deported from the US to Equatorial Guinea who criticised the conduct of security forces there has been held for a week at a... →
The visa backlog is back. But this time, Home Affairs has practical steps to tackle it head-on
14th September 2026 A renewed backlog of overdue visa applications which has built up over the past few months, prompted the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to step... →
DA Minister Schreiber takes Home Affairs digital transformation to the world
10th September 2026 The Democratic Alliance is proud to see that Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber is showcasing his rapidly accelerating digital transformation... →
Govt launches massive crackdown on illegal immigration, hijacked buildings 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 8th September 2026 Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced a sweeping, multidisciplinary national strategy to reclaim... →
Kenya offers temporary amnesty to undocumented East Africans amid fears of crackdown
By: Reuters 8th September 2026 Kenya's government offered a temporary amnesty to undocumented East African nationals after hundreds of Burundians flocked to their country's... →
Majority of Spaniards unhappy with government's handling of Ceuta crisis, poll shows
By: Reuters 7th September 2026 Nearly nine in 10 Spaniards blame Morocco for the mass migrant crossings into Ceuta in late July, while a majority rate Prime Minister Pedro... →
ANC Veterans League condemns Durban xenophobic attacks, demands prosecutions
By: Thabi Shomolekae 4th September 2026 The ANC Veterans League has strongly condemned recent violent clashes in Durban, calling for immediate, thorough investigations and prosecutions... →
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... →
