South Africa is preparing to become one of the preferred destinations for digital nomads by offering a visa dedicated to this category of worker. With this project, the country hopes to attract foreign talent and boost its economy.
Growing demand for a digital nomad visa
As the telecommuting trend gains momentum worldwide, many countries have realized the benefits of attracting these international workers with their diverse skills: Peru, South Korea, Sri Lankaetc. South Africa plans to join several other African countries in offering a specific visa for digital nomads.currently in the project phase.
Regulatory development and public consultation
To implement this visa program, the South African government recently published a set of regulations in draft form. It is now soliciting suggestions and comments from the public. who will help shape the final version of these visas. Future applicants can expect more information once these are officially approved.
Two new visa categories in the pipeline
Remote work visas: a response to workers' needs
This visa dedicated to remote working is designed in response to the changing nature of work, with a growing demand for flexible, location-independent jobs. Workers in various industries, such as technology, are particularly attracted by the advantages offered by this nomadic digital lifestyle.. This visa will enable employees working for foreign companies to apply to work from South Africa.
Critical Skills Visa: attracting talent
To qualify applicants for a critical skills visa, several criteria are taken into account, such as : age, level of education, language proficiency, professional experience or possession of a job offer.
To be included on the list of critical skills aimed at attracting high-demand jobs, candidates must earn at least 1 million rand a year (around €50,000). A points system based on several criteria is envisaged for awarding these visas.
The challenges of introducing the digital nomad visa
Despite the economic benefits that an influx of digital nomads could bring to the country, South Africa's current regulatory framework presents a number of hurdles to overcome.
For example, the bill proposes a tax exemption for foreign workers present in South Africa for less than six months. It will therefore be necessary to amend existing tax legislation to make this exemption legal. Some companies may also find it difficult to set up offices and access local talent and digital nomads.