Major visa reforms warmly welcomed by Cape Town mayor

Cape Town welcomes major visa changes

Yesterday, 9 October, the Department of Home Affairs proudly announced the gazetting of the highly anticipated Remote Work Visitor Visa and the new Points-Based System for Work Visas.

And according to the City of Cape Town, the news is more than welcome, with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis saluting its arrival.

“We warmly welcome these major visa reforms and the exciting economic and job-creating potential to bring substantially more tourism to our shores. Cape Town is an ideal remote working destination and now people will be able to stay longer in our city, and spend more money here to the benefit of local businesses. It is refreshing to see swift action from Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber in promulgating these reforms. We look forward to continued partnerships to unleash economic growth,” Mayor Hill-Lewis said in a statement.

‘A game-changer for the economy’

Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, also added that the newly gazetted changes were in line with the City’s continued calls for an overhaul of the visa system and would be game-changing for the economy.

“In the coming weeks, my team and I will engage Cape Town’s business leaders on the various reforms and how they can capitalise on it for the benefit of economic and job growth in the city. In my consultations with roleplayers in Cape Town’s high-growth industries, it was made clear that companies often needed to bring foreign experts into the country to properly train staff. These reforms now make it easier for companies to access the necessary specialists to provide skills development.” Alderman Vos said.

Alderman Vos also added that the City has already been preparing for these reforms by signing partnerships with tourism industry bodies and marketing agencies to promote the Mother City as a major global remote working location.