Gazetting of the long-awaited visa reforms for remote workers has been lauded as a major step forward in attracting high-earning, long-term visitors to South Africa. The Department of Home Affairs DHA officially gazetted the remote work visitor visa and a points-based system for work visas on October 9.
The remote work visitor visa allows stays of three months to three years for employees of foreign-based companies, provided they earn at least R650 796 33 800 per year. This is expected to encourage high-income individuals to extend their stays and boost the local economy.
Most progressive reform in decadesThe visa is the single most progressive and pro-jobs regulatory reform South Africa has seen in decades, said DHA Minister Leon Schreiber , appointed in July as part of South Africas historic Government of National Unity.
The departments meticulous attention to detail to ensure these reforms are fit-for-purpose and market-friendly has resulted in two products that begin to reposition South Africa as a world-class destination for investment and tourism to create thousands of new jobs for South Africans.
The remote work visas focus on highly paid individuals employed abroad will strengthen tax resources and spending on local services. The remote work visa enables these individuals to spend their valuable foreign currency right here in South Africa, pay VAT into the South African fiscus, eat at South African restaurants and buy South African goods and services from South African producers, Schreiber added.
