South Africa has passed its digital nomad visa regulations into law, thus paving the way for the country to start the issuance of digital nomad visas.
The move has caused mixed opinions among locals. While some believe that the digital nomad visa will make the country more appealing to international tech talent, others have expressed their concerns that it could cause living expenses to increase, and lead to tax issues, VisaGuide.World reports.
Authorities in South Africa unfolded plans to introduce the digital nomad visa in February this year. The move comes as part of efforts to attract tech talent to this territory.
Therefore, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) proposed changes to the country’s immigration laws.
Soon after the draft regulations were published in February, the government invited the public to add comments that would shape the outcome of the visa. However, draft regulations and the official ones are the same, which according to local media means that none of the public opinion was considered.
The founder of immigration firm IBN Immigration Solutions, Andreas Krensel, said that not taking public opinion into account when passing the bill is problematic, according to a report from Techcabal.
Although the confirmation of [the] digital nomad visa is great news, the same questions asked almost two months ago [when regulations were announced in February] remain unanswered.
The new amendments include the introduction of a new point-based system for work visas as well as the provision of digital nomad visas to internationals earning at least R 1 million ($52,575) per year.
Among the questions raised is whether the minimum salary requirement of R1,000,000 ($52,575) refers to gross or net income, and whether freelancers would qualify for the visa.
Ensuring Competitiveness in an Evolving Global Economy
Announcing the new changes in February this year, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that the country needs more skilled people to thrive in the evolving global economy.
A remote worker who wants to work in South Africa while being employed by a foreign company can receive such a visa. International experience shows that employees with critical skills contribute to improved productivity, enhanced innovation, and improving the competitiveness of the firms they work for.
When introducing the digital nomad visa, South Africa would join other African countries that offer such programs such as Cape Verde, Namibia, Mauritius, and Seychelles.