Often exceeding a wait time of two years, Home Affairs has clarified its process for awarding spousal visas. Here’s more …
. This is despite having the same constitutional rights as every other South African citizen. Now, Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi has decided to clarify the reasons behind lengthy delays for spousal visas.The legitimacy of spousal and relative visas need to be adjudicated upon. Image: Fileto process. The minister of Home Affairs says this is because documentation and claims need to be verified.
As part of its efforts, 117 additional officials have been pulled in to work through the backlog of applications. The minister also says his department is looking for skilled partners in the private sector to help speed up these proceedings.A lack of contact details can make verification of spousal and relative visas difficult. Image: File
Applicants for spousal and relative visas are waiting as long as two years. This is due to notarial agreements and documents such as birth certificates, bank statements and marriage certificates that need to be verified. In order to establish the legitimacy of any relative and/or spousal relationship, a stringent adjudication process is required.
Adding insult to injury in spousal visa downtime, says the Home Affairs minister, contact numbers of the purported spouses/relatives are often not provided. Moreover, Home Affairs is jointly developing an Application Programme Interface to further manage and streamline this labour-intensive data verification process, confirmed Motsoaledi.Home Affairs is extended its opening hours to weekends for April and May 2024.
Motsoaledi says the department hopes to expand its service channels. This includes more service kiosks, mobile offices, new offices at banks and shopping malls and connectivity through online and mobile apps. This includes the modernising of five new offices with the adoption of live-capture systems.6 April to 25 May 2024for ID collection services, new applications and Temporary Identity Certificates.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Africa: Home Affairs Clarifies Misunderstanding On VisasHome Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has moved to clarify a misunderstanding on the gazetted regulations recommendations on the Critical Skills and General Work Visas.
Read more »
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Mostoaledi Bemoans ‘Nonexistent’ Spouses Created for VisasThe minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, bemoaned the spousal visa backlog. He believed that 'nonexistent' couples apply for the spousal visa.
Read more »
How often should you update your home?Breaking Stories
Read more »
Home Affairs blocked from deporting ‘critical skills’ Czech executiveBy its own admission, the department loses most of its court cases – the costs of which are borne by the taxpayer.
Read more »
Home Affairs 'scrutinising' Lindela private security contract amid mass escapeHome Affairs 'scrutinising' Lindela private security contract amid mass escape
Read more »
South Africans love Home Affairs for its effectiveness, says MotsoalediThe majority of South Africans are satisfied with the service delivery standards of the Home Affairs – according to the department’s 2022/23 Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Read more »