Visa Box South Africa

09/07/2024

South African citizens no longer allowed visa-free travel to Ireland

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-requirement-for-nationals-of-botswana-and-south-africa/

(Source: Irish Department of Justice)

With effect from 10th July 2024 holders of South African and Botswanan passports will be subject to Irish visa requirements which means that they will need to obtain an Irish visa before travelling to Ireland. Limited Transitional Arrangements (for certain travellers only) To apply from 10th July 20...

09/07/2024

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲:
With effect from 10th July 2024 holders of South African and Botswanan passports will be subject to Irish visa requirements which means that they will need to obtain an Irish visa before travelling to Ireland.

Limited Transitional Arrangements (for certain travellers only)
To apply from 10th July 2024 to 9th August 2024

South African and Botswanan passport holders who have booked travel to Ireland before 10th July 2024 and will travel to Ireland before 9th August 2024 may travel to Ireland provided they are in possession of the following documentation:

• A valid passport; and
• documentary proof from their carrier (and not a Travel Agent) showing the date of purchase of their ticket(s), their name as the passenger, the flight(s) number and date of travel.

This documentation will need to be produced where requested to do so by a carrier or an Immigration Officer. Normal immigration rules that apply to non-nationals on seeking entry to the State will apply to any person availing of the transitional arrangements.

For avoidance of doubt, please note that:

• Any person who has booked travel to Ireland before 10th July 2024 and is travelling to Ireland after 9th August 2024 cannot avail of the limited transitional arrangements and will need to have obtained an Irish visa before travelling.

• Any person who books travel to Ireland after 10th July cannot avail of the limited transitional arrangements and will need to have obtained an Irish visa in advance of travel, even if travelling to Ireland before 9th August 2024.

• Persons who are in possession of a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card do not separately need to have an Irish visa.

(Source: Consular Section - Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria)

07/06/2024

UK’s minimum income visa requirement faces high court challenge

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/06/uks-minimum-income-visa-requirement-faces-high-court-challenge

(Source: The Guardian)

Reunite Families UK applies for judicial review of policy it says discriminates against women and minorities

24/05/2024

Making it easy to renew your passport or get a Smart ID at a bank branch (South Africa)

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/537975-making-it-easy-to-renew-your-passport-or-get-a-smart-id-at-a-bank-branch.html

(Source: My Broadband)

Home Affairs’ collaboration with banks, including Absa, Discovery Bank, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank, makes it easy to get a Smart ID or renew your passport.

22/05/2024

Schengen visa fees increased by 12% starting in June 2024

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1191508-schengen-visa-fees-increased-by-12-starting-from-june

(Source: The News)

The European Commission has announced a price hike in the Schengen visa fee by 12% all over the globe starting on June 11, 2024.Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, confirming...

17/05/2024

Portugal Faces Possible Suspension from Schengen Area: What You Need to Know

https://travelobiz.com/portugal-faces-possible-suspension-from-schengen-area-what-you-need-to-know/

(Source: Travelo Biz)

Portugal faces potential suspension from the Schengen Zone due to delays in implementing a new border control system.

03/04/2024

New Smart ID and Passport offices coming to South Africa – including more e-Visa countries

https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/765021/new-smart-id-and-passport-offices-coming-to-south-africa-including-more-e-visa-countries/

(Source: BUSINESSTECH)

The Department of Home Affairs wants to roll out more service points for smart IDs, passports and other documentation as it battles long queues and service delays.

03/04/2024

British Passport rules: 'Escorted through the airport like a criminal'

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68677938
(Source: BBC News)

Travellers share their experiences of getting caught out by the EU's 10-year-passport rule.

03/04/2024

Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen area.

"On 31 March, Bulgaria and Romania become Schengen members: the Schengen rules will apply in both Member States including on issuing Schengen visas and controls at the internal air and sea borders will be lifted ..."

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_1722

(Source: Official website of the European Union)

Highlights, press releases and speeches

07/02/2024

The UK Parliament released an official statement on 30 January 2024 regarding the changes in UK Immigration.

Highlights as follows:

- The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee will increase from £624 to £1,035 for each year of the visa for adults, and £776 per year for students and under 18s. This will go live for applications submitted on or after 6 February 2024.

- Skilled Worker visas
The salary threshold for an application will rise to £38,700 from 4 April 2024.

Speculation - The £38,700 salary threshold will NOT apply to anyone who already has a Skilled Worker visa or has applied for one when the rules change in April 2024. Those workers can change employers, extend their permission, and apply for settlement after the rule changes without that threshold applying. They will be expected to show salary progression at those stages, even if the minimum level is not as high as £38,700. The shortage occupation list will be reviewed and amended.

- Health and Care Worker visas
As of 11 March 2024, applicants of this visa category will no longer be allowed to bring dependants to the UK.

- Family visas
The minimum salary threshold for a family visa will be raised from £18,600 to £38,700.

The initial threshold will rise to £29,000 on 11 April 2024, with a phased increase to £34,500 later this year and then to £38,700 by April 2025.

Speculation - The new thresholds will NOT apply to those already in the UK on a family visa when the rules change. So, for example, the annual income threshold for someone currently on a partner visa that expires in Q1 2025 will still be £18,600.

Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.

31/01/2024

UK Legal Migration Implementation Update
Statement made on 30 January 2024

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-01-30/hcws222

(Source: UK Parliament)

Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.

30/01/2024

Big win for thousands of South Africans who lost their citizenship – including those who didn’t even know

https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/745553/big-win-for-thousands-of-south-africans-who-lost-their-citizenship-including-those-who-didnt-even-know/

(Source: BusinessTech)

Soon having two passports will not create an administrative headache.

22/12/2023

Home Office rows back on salary threshold for family visa (United Kingdom)

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67794032

(Source: BBC News)

The minimum salary for a family visa to come to the UK will go up to £29,000 next spring, instead of £38,700.

22/12/2023

Changes to legal migration rules for family and work visas in 2024 (United Kingdom)

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9920/

(Source: UK Parliament)

Answers to some frequently asked questions about immigration changes announced in December 2023, including to the minimum income to sponsor a spouse/partner visa.

22/12/2023

08/12/2023

Changes to UK visa requirements: Key points at-a-glance

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67623131

(Source: BBC News)

Increasing minimum salary requirements is among a package of measures to cut migration to the UK.

30/11/2023

News from the Australian authorities regarding closures over the festive season:

The Australian Department of Home Affairs office of the Australian High Commission Pretoria will close on Friday 22 December and will reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2024.

As an overseas Australian Government office we observe a mix of Australian and South African public holidays.

Please Note: The Australian Department of Home Affairs advises that applicants wanting to visit Australia before Christmas Day submit a complete visa application no later than Thursday 7th December 2023.

24/11/2023

News from the Chinese Visa Application Centres (VAC) here in South Africa:

"In order to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and South Africa, as of 20 November 2023, applicants may submit their visa applications to the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers in Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town without appointment during working hours."

"Up until 31 December 2023, those applying for a single or double entry visa for business, tourism, short-term family visit, transit or crew purpose, will be exempted from the requirement of fingerprints collection by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General."

At this present time, Visa Box is able to lodge Chinese visa applications on behalf of their clients who reside here in SA.

If you need more visa information, please feel free to contact us:

Visa and UK immigration specialists...

24/11/2023

Black Friday Travel Deals 2023 at Pentravel

Stay tuned for our Black Friday travel deals for 2023, featuring exclusive deals and hot offers across local and international travel.

24/11/2023

Black Friday Sale at Travelstart from 24-28 November 2023

Black Friday Sale Now On! Massive savings on flights, accommodation & more.

22/11/2023

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲:
The UK government has proposed an increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge fee (IHS). This increase will potentially take place from 16 January 2024.

The annual IHS fee for adult applicants will increase to GBP£1035 per person from the current amount of GBP£624 per person per year.
For students or applicants under 18, the surcharge will increase from GBP£470 per person to GBP£776 per person per year.

This increase will affect most UK immigration visas such as Family, Ancestry and Skilled Worker visas for example.
Visa Box can help you with your UK immigration visa from start to finish.

Contact Visa Box today for a free quote:
Tel: 021 551 8829
Email: [email protected]

Visa and UK immigration specialists...

22/11/2023

Schengen digital visa coming in 2026

https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/schengen-digital-visa-coming-2026

(Source: Southern Africa's Travelnews by TNW)

Travellers can now look forward to the Schengen Area’s digital visa coming online in 2026 after last week’s announcement that it had received the green light. Along with the EU Council approving the

22/11/2023

Do you need someone to help you with your British passport renewal or first time British passport application from start to finish?

We offer the following services:
- Provide you with your document requirement list.
- Review all of your supporting documents which can first be scanned through to us before sending the application through to our office.
- We can order British birth certificates on your behalf.
- Complete the online passport application forms for you.
- Make online card payments for your British passport application.
- We would arrange an international courier to get your complete passport application from our Cape Town office to the HM Passport Office in the UK.

Please feel free to contact Visa Box for a free assessment and quote:
Tel: (021) 551 8829
Email: [email protected]
http://www.visa-box.co.za/british-passports/

14/11/2023

Heading to Europe? You’ll soon be able to apply for your Schengen visa online

https://www.iol.co.za/travel/world/europe/heading-to-europe-youll-soon-be-able-to-apply-for-your-schengen-visa-online-99258bdc-d1df-5d9a-9377-08fd60334dbd

(Source: IOL)

On the new platform, the current visa sticker will be replaced by a cryptographically signed barcode.

14/11/2023

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲:

Dear applicant,

Thank you for your email.

Due to a currently high demand in visa applications for Denmark and Iceland, applicants must expect a longer processing time.

The current processing time in visa cases is up to 45 days.

We are working to reduce processing time and regret any inconvenience caused by the longer processing time.

Med venlig hilsen / Best regards,

Royal Danish Consulate General
Villa No. 208, Al Beteel Street,
Al Thanya Road, Umm Suqeim 2 Dubai, UAE.
Office: +971 4 526 8700

14/11/2023

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲:
The UK government has proposed an increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge fee (IHS). This increase will potentially take place from 16 January 2024.
The annual IHS fees for adult applicants will increase to GBP£1035 per person from the current amount of GBP£624 per person.
For students or applicants under 18, the surcharge will increase from GBP£470 per year to GBP£776 per year.

You can start using the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK when both:
- you’ve paid the healthcare surcharge (or are exempt from paying it)
- your visa or immigration application is granted

This increase will affect most UK immigration visas such as settlement, ancestry and skilled worker visas for example.
Visa Box is able to assist clients with their UK immigration visas from start to finish.

Contact us today for a free quote:
Tel: 021 551 8829
Email: [email protected]

14/11/2023

Are you eligible for British Citizenship?

Visa Box now has access to AI software, which was developed in the UK and can accurately determine your eligibility for British Citizenship and other forms of British Nationality.

Contact us today for an assessment and assistance with your application.

Tel: 021 551 8829
Email: [email protected]

18/09/2023

New UK visa fees to come into effect 4 Oct. Visit visa priority processing fee doubles!

Increases to immigration and nationality fees to pay for vital services are set come into effect on 4 October.

07/08/2023

The Visa Box offices will be closed and all staff working from home on Tuesday 8th August, due to the taxi strike violence.
Thank you for your understanding.

05/06/2023

UK coaxes SA teachers with R245 000 to relocate

https://www.iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/uk-coaxes-sa-teachers-with-r245-000-to-relocate-7abcb404-5709-45b7-944b-cdcdbe95974f

(Source: IOL)

South African teachers are being lured to the UK with international relocation payments.