SOUTH AFRICA APPROVES REMOTE WORK VISAS FOR SKILLED FOREIGNERS.

South Africa is to implement new visa requirements aimed at skilled foreign remote workers, according to Business Live.
These restrictions will apply to foreign persons with an annual income greater than R1 million (roughly $53,665), facilitating their relocation to the country.

While the South African Department of Home Affairs has yet to make an official announcement, it is expected that the new ‘digital nomad visa’ will replace the current essential skills visa structure.

Draft regulations, backed by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaled, were released in February, seeking public feedback to help revise and finalize the visa policy.

Despite the March 29 deadline for feedback, certain provisions in the regulations require revisions to other relevant acts before execution.

Notably, the digital nomad bill pushes for an income tax exemption for foreign workers in South Africa for durations of less than six months, necessitating revisions to the Income Tax Act to make this possible.

The introduction of the digital nomad visa has elicited conflicting views in South Africa. Proponents claim that it will increase the attractiveness of the country’s tech ecosystem to international professionals.

However, critics are concerned about potential increases in living costs, increased inequality, and tax revenue challenges.

South Africa has joined a growing list of African countries that offer remote work visas, including Cape Verde, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Namibia, indicating a shift toward accommodating the global trend of digital nomadism and luring foreign talent to boost local economies.