South Africa to explore points-based skills visas

Streamlined immigration rules could mean less red tape for foreign researchers

The government of South Africa is looking to introduce a points-based visa system to attract the skilled immigrants its economy needs, the country’s president said in his State of the Nation address last week.

In his 9 February speech to Parliament, Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted a lack of skills as one of South Africa’s main challenges to growing its economy. “One of the key ingredients for economic growth and competitiveness is the ability to attract skills that the economy needs,” he said.