Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has welcomed the gazetting of the Remote Work Visa, marking a significant step towards stimulating the economy and generating new employment opportunities, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Also read: Hurricane Milton: The Category 3 storm devastating Florida’s coast
According to a recent press release, the WCG says that it has actively lobbied for visa reforms to attract vital skills and boost economic growth and tourism.
Find your perfect set of wheels with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k.
‘Our province has long been seen as a prime investment destination. This is a vital step towards attracting even more investment and assisting our economic recovery,’ says Winde.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has introduced new regulations to simplify work visa applications for skilled immigrants while safeguarding lower-tier jobs.
‘The Remote Work Visa enables highly paid individuals who are employed abroad and thus do not compete with local workers, to spend their valuable foreign currency right here in South Africa, pay Value-Added Tax into the South African fiscus, eat at South African restaurants, and buy South African goods and services from South African producers,’ says Schreiber.
According to Schreiber, a points system will now assess general work and critical skills visa applications, replacing the old requirement that only allowed visas for occupations on the critical skills list.
The changes also enable remote workers employed by overseas companies to obtain work visas.
A R650 976 annual earnings threshold will restrict work visas for lower-paying jobs.
Schreiber cites research from the Reserve Bank and International Food Policy Research Institute showing that increasing high-end skills by just 0.02% of the population could boost economic growth by 1.2% annually.
Additionally, each new skilled worker could create seven jobs.
Skilled immigration and visa reform, vital for economic growth, are key parts of the government’s Operation Vulindlela.
However, the ANC has resisted these reforms, seeing them as a threat to local jobs.
Winde emphasises that a key priority for the WCG is to simplify travel and work access to the province for companies, businesses and individuals.
‘I would like to commend the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Leon Schreiber, and his department for this significant development.’
‘We will work hard with Minister Schreiber and his team to see that the visa reforms are fully implemented and optimally harnessed to push our economy forward – to create opportunities for all our residents,’ adds Winde.
Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, stated, ‘These reforms, with their promising implications for the economy, tourism, foreign investment, and the procurement of much-needed skills, inspire optimism and hope for our future.’
‘The Western Cape Government is completely committed to addressing the many visa-related challenges our province and country face, which impact job creation.’
‘This steadfast commitment should reassure all stakeholders of our dedication to this cause.’
Meyer says the announcement helps overcome visa-related hurdles that have long hindered economic growth.
The Western Cape aims for 5% annual growth, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, reducing poverty, and fostering prosperity, with these reforms playing a crucial role.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city, at half the price?
Also read:
Security guard arrested in Franschhoek for kidnapping Cape Town family
Picture: Western Cape Government / Facebook
