Africa
African immigration policy and labor market updates
Key trends shaping Africa's labor and immigration landscape
Travel advice and health screening
Nigeria introduced a mandate requiring all travelers to complete an online health declaration form due to the Mpox virus outbreak. Enforcement of this requirement remains unclear.
In other countries, such as Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and South Africa, a health screening was implemented at entry points following the Mpox outbreak. However, the level of enforcement varies across countries. For Ghana, screening at the main International Airport (KIA) has not begun and neither has it begun at any other point of entry. The Minister of Health has hinted that it could be started soon but with no specific timelines.
Following Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in September 2024 and the formation of the military alliance, the association of Sahel States, there have been no immediate changes to immigration policies. However, currency changes and new entry visa requirements are expected between these countries and ECOWAS member states.
Changes in processing times and systems
Kenya was experiencing an immigration systems outage in September, resulting in an inability to process applications online and delayed processing times.
The South African government introduced a new online application link for Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) and Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) holders in August 2024. This update is part of ongoing efforts to streamline the application process for those exempt from traditional visa requirements, extending their permits through December 31, 2025.
Extensions of temporary concessions
In July 2024, as a result of ongoing backlogs at the South African Department of Home Affairs, the latter extended temporary concessions for foreign nationals awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver, and appeal applications. This extension is favorable to those dealing with extended adjudication times.
Border controls and travel authorization systems
South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister has introduced a new rule in August 2024 to deliver the outcomes of visa waiver applications digitally via email. Initially, this will apply to holders of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs), with the possibility of extension to other applicants.
Kenya waived visa requirements for most African nationals. Furthermore, Kenya waived the fees for work permits for nationals from East African Community (EAC) countries. This aligns with the EAC’s free movement protocol and is expected to boost business travel and regional cooperation. Nationals from Uganda and Rwanda in the EAC region can enter Kenya using their national ID and an interstate pass.
Country insights: policy changes and new regulations
Mauritania:
The Mauritanian government introduced criminal penalties in July 2024, in addition to civil and financial penalties, for employers who hire foreign nationals without a valid work permit. This also applies to companies employing foreign workers under Long- or Short-Term Work Permits but registered under a different company name. The specific criminal penalties have yet to be detailed.
South Africa:
In South Africa, the Minister of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has implemented a Points-Based System which will apply to the existing General Work Visa and Critical Skills Work Visa categories. The objective is to introduce objectivity, transparency, and certainty into the adjudication process. Under the new system, outside of the Critical Skills Work Visa categories, only foreign nationals earning a score of a minimum of 100 points across various criteria (qualifications, experience, salary level, language skills and employer Trusted Employer status) will qualify for a work visa.
Additionally, in South Africa, foreign nationals conducting services for a foreign employer under a foreign employment contract are now eligible to work from within South Africa for periods up to 36 months, subject to the issuance of the Remote Worker Visa. The significant amendments to the previously gazetted Remote Worker Visa regime are related to the taxation obligations on the holders of such visas, which required discussion with the South African Revenue Services (SARS), and confirmation of the gross minimum annual salary level at the equivalent of ZAR 650,796.
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Itang Amissine
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Supriya Boodhena
Senior Manager