Topping the list
The UK magazine Time Out recently named Cape Town the best city in the world, based on more than 18,000 respondents worldwide commenting on the city’s beauty, vibrant food scene, affordability and overall vibe, among others. Mbhele says this accolade will certainly impact global remote workers who are considering different global destinations from where they want to work.
“These reports give us mileage to potentially attract remote workers to South Africa,” he told Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, in a podcast discussing legislative changes and the introduction of new visa categories as part of modernizing South Africa’s visa regime to boost economic growth.
Mbhele says Cape Town topping the list, ties in with the trends the Department observes among foreigners who want to live and work in the Mother City.
SA as preferred destination
The Department is involved in several initiatives abroad to help market South Africa as a country of preference among tourists, but also as an appealing remote work destination for skilled professionals from other countries.
In collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the DHA already took part in tours to India and China, focusing on attracting more tourists from there.
Mbhele explains an individual who becomes a remote worker residing in South Africa, in a way also becomes a tourist and explore all South Africa has to offer. The multiplier effect of them sharing their experiences with family and friends abroad who then also visit South Africa, is huge.
Jacobs agrees favourable word-of-mouth reviews by remote workers of their great experiences in South Africa, is invaluable and will attract more professional remote workers.
Huge uptake anticipated
DHA anticipates a huge uptake of the Remote Work Visa in 2025 as the news about the visa gains tractions and with international studies confirming professionals who work remotely from a country other than where they come from, is a growing phenomenon around the world.
Mbhele alludes to a study by the international company Buffer where 98% of respondents indicated they would like to work remotely, at least some of the time, for the rest of their careers. This is higher than the previous year.
There are currently an estimated 40 million digital nomads globally which can grow to 60 million by 2030. LinkedIn estimates that 10,000 of the world’s remote workers are working from South Africa.
It started as an idea during Covid-19
Remote Work or Digital Nomad Visas was an important point of discussion during Covid-19 when work-from-home (WFH) or remote work as a trend became the norm. Back then, many countries issued such visas to accommodate mobile professionals from other countries.
Mbhele says the DHA started receiving similar requests, but at the time had no specific visa to accommodate the growing digital nomad population. This while other countries could even quantify the economic benefits of attracting these foreign professionals who spend money in the local economy.
The idea originated to find a legislative intervention to allow for the issuing of remote work visas to foreign digital nomads who wanted to be based in South Africa while doing work for an overseas employer. “We decided we had to introduce it into our legislation.”
The introduction of the Remote Work Visa is seen as a significant development bringing South Africa’s offering in line with some 45 plus nations who, according to the World Economic Forum, now grant visas to allow remote work.
Qualifying criteria
The Remote Work Visa is in essence granted to foreign professionals who work for an international employer, but the worker is based in South Africa. It is available to foreign nationals who earn above a certain threshold and can show proof of employment by a foreign entity.
Jacobs stresses that holders of the Remote Work Visa must ensure they remain tax compliant both in South Africa and abroad.
Further to this, criteria applying to all kind of visas such as having a valid passport, no criminal record, and submitting a valid certificate of vaccination for applicants from a country with Yellow Fever, also applies.
Mbhele’s final words to foreign remote workers: “We want to, and are ready to welcome you to South Africa.”
The podcast can be accessed here: PART 1 of 3 | Immigration Update with DHA | Remote Work Visa
