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
ActionSA welcomes withdrawal of reckless asylum seeker directive
9th October 2026 ActionSA welcomes the withdrawal of the Department of Home Affairs’ reckless directive that sought to compel Refugee Reception Offices to accept... →
Home Affairs waives one of the biggest practical hurdles for visa applications in South Africa
9th October 2026 The Minister of Home Affairs has waived the requirement for foreign nationals in South Africa to submit visa applications at least 60 days before... →
ANC seeks to correct ‘false narratives’ over refugee ruling, pending labour Bill 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 8th October 2026 The ANC has called on South Africans to reject "false narratives" surrounding the country's immigration policies, clarifying that a recent apex... →
SA: Dr Leon Schreiber: Address by Minister of Home Affairs, at the Home Affairs Quantum Leap: A Vision for the Future of Government at Constitution Hill (01/10/2026)
2nd October 2026 More than any other department, Home Affairs had become synonymous with public sector failure. Millions of South Africans associated it with taking... →
SA’s electronic travel authorisation gathers pace, paving the way for digital processing of all visa categories
1st October 2026 The rollout of South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is gaining momentum. As the digital system is steadily being extended to... →
Daily Podcast – September 30, 2026
By: Halima Frost 30th September 2026 Making headlines: South Africa summons US ambassador again over 'undiplomatic conduct'; Parties criticise Ramaphosa’s ‘delayed response’ to... →
Ramaphosa challenges S Africans to defend national identity amid violence, division
By: Thabi Shomolekae 28th September 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a reminder to the nation on Monday that heritage is not only a cause for celebration but a critical battleground... →
Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike condemns misogynistic conduct against women
21st September 2026 The Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, MP, joins the calls strongly... →
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... →
