WAVING 2021 GOODBYE & WELCOMING 2022
THANK YOU, FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT
WAVING 2021 GOODBYE & WELCOMING 2022
THANK YOU, FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT
A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
Being a part of the immigration and mobility- and travel industries alike, it has been a privilege to stand alongside our clients and partners in the frontline as we rolled with the punches during 2021!
As the world has started reinventing to a new norm, the immigration landscape has evolved quickly, and it is encouraging to witness how our clients and employees have risen to meet each challenge.
There has been some big ticket immigration items in the last quarter of the year, among them the anticipated release of the new Critical Skills List (before the end of the year), latest challenges with Waiver applications specifically around General Work Visas and last but not least, the big news of ZEP visas not being renewed again, however allowing change of status for ZEP holders in country, has been met with mixed emotions.
We appreciate the opportunity to enter a new year alongside you and to provide our continued support and excellent service delivery. We are thrilled to see what 2022 has in store for us, as excitement and expectation develop for the new year ahead. We wish you all a restful and much deserved break and cannot wait to work with you again next year.
P.S. We’ve included some of our best articles for you to read on your break this holiday season.
Best wishes,
Marisa Jacobs & Xpatweb Team
WHAT HAS BEEN ON OUR RADAR FOR 2021
2020/21 CRITICAL SKILLS SURVEY REPORT
Our annual Critical Skills Survey has grown year on year and 2020/21 has been no exception with record number of 220 companies, including JSE listed companies and large multinational groups across Africa, that have participated.
RELEASE OF THE NEW CRITICAL SKILLS LIST
The survey’s findings have accordingly been incorporated into the new Critical Skills List which is anticipated to be released before the end of 2021. The release follows numerous consultations between relevant stakeholders and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).
AFRICA CRITICAL SKILLS SURVEY
We have launched our very first Africa Critical Skills Survey to identify skills shortages and Immigration pain-points across the African continent!
DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (DOL) WAIVERS
Persons who have submitted Waiver applications to waive the DoL Certificate to the DHA, pursuant to a General Work Visa for South Africa, are being redirected to the DoL to obtain the recommendation certificate, which is prescribed for visa applications.
If you may be impacted by this change, please contact us at contact@xpatweb.com for assistance.
EVENTS
FORUM OF EXPATRIATE MANAGEMENT (FEM) MOBILITY INTO AFRICA
On 17 August 2021, the first FEM Africa Chapter meeting was hosted and Xpatweb presented the 2020/21 Critical Skills Survey results, and which was complimented with an update of Attracting Foreign Skills and Investment & the Latest Immigration Concessions by DHA and Optimal Tax Planning procedures by Tax Consulting South Africa.
ZIMBABWEAN EXEMPTION PERMITS WEBINAR
On 09 December 2021, Xpatweb held a webinar to discuss solutions for ZEP holders following the Cabinet’s announcement on 25 November 2021 regarding the non-extension of permits.
If you have missed this webinar, click here to learn more and for assistance.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO (AND SO SHOULD YOU)
OUR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE SUITE
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH UP, READ OUR MOST POPULAR ARTICLES
RETENTION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP
Many South Africans are relocating to other countries. While the motivation behind their decisions vary, there is no denying that they will face a mountain of paperwork and be bombarded with terms and requirements that are alien to them.
EMPLOYING ILLEGAL FOREIGN NATIONALS: THE COST, THE RISK & THE FIX
With unemployment figures at an all-time high and South Africa facing numerous economic challenges, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the Department of Labour (DoL) are again taking steps to curb the employment of illegal foreign nationals living in South Africa.
SHOULD SOUTH AFRICA CONSIDER SPECIAL VISAS TO ATTRACT SKILLS?
MOEKETSI SEBOKO ON POWER FM
In his latest interview on Power FM, Moeketsi Seboko, Immigration Manager of Xpatweb, discussed whether South Africa should consider creating a special visa category to attract skills in order to strengthen the economy and local labor force for generations to come. Read the full article here.
CRITICAL SKILLS SURVEY RESULTS 2020/21 – THE TOP 10 MOST IN-DEMAND SKILLS
MARISA JACOBS ON OFM
In her latest interview on OFM, Marisa Jacobs (Director of Xpatweb) discussed the most sought after IT jobs in South Africa, as indicated in the Critical Skills Survey Results. She also emphasized that a lot of countries are competing for the same critical skills. Read the full article here.
Please note that our offices will be closed from Tuesday, 28th December 2021, and we will reopen on Monday, 3rd January 2022.
We’d Love To Have You Visit Us In Our Offices In The New Year!
