By Phenyo Selinda
Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Leon Schreiber has announced a groundbreaking new rule that will revolutionize the way visa waiver applications are processed and delivered. Starting immediately, the outcomes of visa waiver applications, beginning with Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders, will be delivered digitally via email to applicants.
This digital-first approach is part of a broader effort to modernize the department and improve efficiency in handling the overwhelming number of visa and permit applications. The introduction of this rule is set to streamline processes, reduce corruption, and clear the long-standing backlog that has plagued the department for years.
A New Era for Home Affairs
Dr. Leon Schreiber, in his announcement, emphasized the importance of this transition as a key element in the broader digital transformation agenda for the Department of Home Affairs. “While this step on its own may be a small one, it is still meaningful as part of our larger quest to clamp down on corruption and to enhance efficiency of services by transforming Home Affairs into a digital-first department,” he said.
The new rule, which will see waiver application outcomes being sent directly to applicants’ email addresses in PDF format, marks the first phase of this transformation. It will initially apply to ZEP holders, who will no longer need to visit a VFS Global office to collect physical, paper-based copies of their waiver letters. Instead, they will receive digital copies that can be used for subsequent visa applications, making the process far more convenient and accessible.
Addressing the Backlog
One of the most pressing issues the Department of Home Affairs has faced in recent years is the significant backlog in visa and permit applications. This backlog, which at one point included over 306,000 unprocessed applications, has been a source of frustration for many applicants, some of whom have waited years for their applications to be processed.
Dr. Schreiber highlighted the progress made in clearing this backlog, thanks in large part to the new digital-first approach. “Through this change, we have been able to effectively process 60,582 outstanding ZEP waiver applications, many of which date back to 2022,” he said. “Another 22,529 ZEP waiver applications are set to be processed soon, further reducing the backlog and freeing up valuable resources in a department that has been financially gutted to the point of only having 40% of the staff resources.”
The decision to deliver outcomes digitally not only speeds up the process but also reduces the strain on the department’s limited resources. By eliminating the need for physical visits to collect waiver letters, the department can reallocate its personnel to more critical tasks, ultimately improving service delivery across the board.
The Path Forward: Expanding Digital Services
While the initial rollout of digital waiver delivery is focused on ZEP holders, the Department of Home Affairs has plans to extend this service to other applicants in the visa and permit regime. Over time, all applicants will be able to receive their waiver outcomes digitally, streamlining the process for everyone and further reducing the burden on VFS Global offices.
The move towards digital services is a critical component of the department’s broader strategy to embrace technology and modernize its operations. Dr. Schreiber noted that this is just the beginning of a more extensive effort to digitize services, which will include online applications, digital identity verification, and more.
“Home Affairs has been stuck in the past for too long,” Dr. Schreiber said. “We are committed to bringing this department into the 21st century, and this digital-first approach is a key part of that transformation. By embracing technology, we can deliver better, faster, and more reliable services to the people of South Africa.”
Ensuring Security and Trust
One of the primary concerns with the shift to digital services is the security and authenticity of the documents being delivered. To address these concerns, the Department of Home Affairs has implemented strict measures to ensure that the digital waiver letters are secure and verifiable.
Applicants are advised to be vigilant and only trust waiver outcomes sent from official email addresses. The department has provided a list of these addresses to ensure that applicants can verify the authenticity of the emails they receive:
• No-reply1.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply2.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply3.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply4.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply5.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply6.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
In addition to these security measures, the department is also working on developing a verification system that will allow applicants to confirm the authenticity of their digital waiver letters online. This system will be integrated into the Home Affairs website, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind for applicants.
Mixed Reactions from Stakeholders
The announcement of the digital waiver delivery has elicited a range of reactions from various stakeholders. While many have welcomed the move as a necessary step towards modernizing the Department of Home Affairs, others have raised concerns about the potential challenges that could arise during the implementation phase.
Some immigration consultants and legal experts have expressed concerns about the readiness of the department to handle the transition smoothly. They worry that technical glitches or inadequate support for applicants could lead to confusion and delays. However, many also acknowledge that the move is a positive one that will ultimately benefit both the department and the public.
Zimbabwean community leaders in South Africa have largely welcomed the initiative, seeing it as a long-overdue improvement that will help alleviate the frustrations many ZEP holders have faced over the years. “This is a very welcome development,” said Tatenda Mutasa, a representative of the Zimbabwean community in Johannesburg. “For too long, our people have had to deal with endless delays and uncertainty. This digital delivery system will make a big difference in our lives.”
On the other hand, some critics have pointed out that the digital divide in South Africa could pose challenges for applicants who do not have easy access to the internet or who are not tech-savvy. “Not everyone has the means or the know-how to navigate digital systems,” said Thabiso Mokoena, an immigration consultant based in Pretoria. “The department needs to ensure that there are support systems in place to assist those who might struggle with the new process.”
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