Home Affairs waives certain Visa Conditions

In a surprise move Minister Motsoaledi this week changed two of the longest-standing requirements for most visa and permits in South Africa. Police Clearance Certificates from all countries where the applicant had lived for 12 months or longer have been a hassle for many in the past. Especially when it comes to studies abroad in younger years or other stays more than 20 – 30 years ago in any country. This requirement has now been limited to the police clearance certificates only of those countries being necessary where the applicant has lived for 12 months or longer in the past five years. Radiological Reports by all applicants of 18 years and older applying for a visa or permit longer than 3 years were until today one of the requirements in South Africa. They were not only a costly exercise, they also posed an unnecessary strain on each applicant’s health, sometimes having to have x-rays taken twice within a year due to expired previous reports or the necessity to provide radiological reports in other areas of their lives. This requirement has now been abolished. News articles published online (Xpatweb, IBN) that Medical Certificates have also been abolished are not true and although there might be an amendment to this extent being gazetted in the future, it has not been gazetted yet and VfS as well as the Missions abroad will continue to ask for this requirement. These amendments are based on Directive No. 5 of 2023, issued on 11 April 2023, came into full force and effect immediately and apply to all applications to be submitted locally or abroad at any of the South African missions despite the fact that some have not been informed about these amendments yet 😉