Radical changes to South Africa’s immigration laws are expected to come into effect from 1 April. One of the major changes will require a cohabitation of five years before your foreign partner will be allowed a life partner visa. This is basically the government telling you to go live somewhere else if you want a relationship with a foreigner.

Other changes to the immigration laws are a bit more positive. People who habitually overstay their visa, will after a prescribed number of times not be allowed re-entry. This is to prohibit foreign workers from staying illegally and just having to pay a fine when they are caught. Stricter requirements from children traveling without their biological parents will also be set in place, to help curb child trafficking.

The most important change to the laws that will negatively impact all, is the need to apply for visas in person. This is a step backward. Instead of only applying this requirement to countries known for immigration fraud, it will be applicable to everyone. This means that someone in Perth will have to travel to Canberra to apply for a visa in person. That’s 3,712 km.

[ Source : News24 ]