Meridian · Freshness tracker

What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

Subscribe via RSS ↗ · 14 entries shown

Country All countriesAQAntarcticaAUAustraliaBRBrazilCACanadaCNChina (Mainland)EGEgyptFRFranceDEGermanyHKHong KongIEIrelandITItalyJPJapanMXMexicoMAMoroccoNLNetherlandsNZNew ZealandPTPortugalSGSingaporeZASouth AfricaKRSouth KoreaESSpainAEUnited Arab EmiratesGBUnited KingdomUSUnited States
Category All categoriesVisa & immigrationResidencyCitizenshipTaxationLabourHousingHealthcareOther
In force 30 Sept 2025
In force Visa & immigration

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) pilot launched

DHA launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) pilot programme from late 2025 — applying initially to select visa-exempt countries as a pre-travel online authorisation (similar to ESTA or ETIAS). Expected to streamline border processing and enhance security screening. Full rollout expected through 2026.

Who it affects: Visa-exempt short-term visitors from specific participating countries.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

Announced 15 Jun 2025
Announced Visa & immigration

Critical Skills List review announced for publication in 2026

Minister Schreiber announced a comprehensive Critical Skills List review in 2025, with consultation with business and labour-market stakeholders. Publication of the revised list is expected during 2026. Likely to add emerging-technology occupations (AI, quantum, advanced manufacturing) and potentially refine healthcare and engineering sub-categories.

Who it affects: Current and future Critical Skills Work Visa applicants.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Mar 2025
In force Visa & immigration

Remote Work Visa added to Immigration Regulations; launched March 2025

The Remote Work Visa was officially added to SA's Immigration Regulations on 28 March 2024; publicly launched by Minister Schreiber on 9 October 2024; applications fully operational from March 2025. 12-month initial visa, renewable annually up to 3 years. Income threshold ZAR 650,976/year (reduced from initially-proposed ZAR 1M).

Who it affects: Non-SA remote workers earning ZAR 650,976+/year.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · Government Gazette ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 23 Jan 2025
In force Other

Expropriation Act enacted — constitutional property framework updated

The Expropriation Act signed into law on 23 January 2025 replaced apartheid-era expropriation legislation with a framework aligned to the post-1996 constitution. Permits expropriation at zero compensation in specific circumstances (abandoned land, speculative land, state land). Does not affect standard foreign real-estate ownership but the political symbolism has been contested; mover-relevant for property-investor visa applicants.

Who it affects: Primarily relevant to property investors; tangentially to foreign buyers.

Government Gazette ↗ · South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Dec 2024
In force Residency

DHA digital visa system rollout under Minister Schreiber

Minister Schreiber's major modernisation commitment launched in late 2024 — phased rollout of a fully digital visa and permit application system, integrated online appointment scheduling, and standardised turnaround-time targets. Material operational improvement across most visa categories through 2025, though backlog clearance from the pre-2024 era continues.

Who it affects: All visa and permit applicants processing through DHA.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Sept 2024
In force Taxation

Two-Pot Retirement Reform in force

The Two-Pot Retirement Reform took effect on 1 September 2024 — restructuring SA retirement-fund access into a "savings pot" (one-third of contributions, accessible during employment) and a "retirement pot" (two-thirds, preserved until retirement). Material for foreign workers contributing to SA pension funds — changes the liquidity of accumulated pension savings.

Who it affects: All SA tax residents with pension funds, including foreign workers.

South African Revenue Service ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Aug 2024
In force Residency

Visa fraud backlog clearance and amnesty programme launched

The Schreiber-led DHA reform launched a comprehensive backlog clearance and anti-fraud programme from August 2024 — targeting the several-year processing backlog that had accumulated pre-2024. Parallel anti-fraud enforcement resulted in visa-agent deregistrations and employee dismissals. Operational improvement has been substantial through 2025, though applicants report variable experience.

Who it affects: Applicants with pending visa/permit processing for 12+ months.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 30 Jun 2024
In force Residency

Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) phase-out extended

The ZEP programme — operating since 2010 for Zimbabwean nationals working in SA — was set for phase-out. The final extension to 30 June 2024 required ZEP holders to apply for mainstream visa types. A significant proportion converted successfully; others faced tough decisions around legal status. Litigation and public-interest advocacy continued through 2024–2025.

Who it affects: Approximately 178,000 Zimbabwean nationals previously on ZEP.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 29 Jun 2024
In force Residency

Government of National Unity formed after May 2024 election

The 29 May 2024 election ended ANC's 30-year single-party majority. A Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed on 29 June 2024 with ANC, DA, IFP, and smaller parties. Home Affairs ministry went to the DA (Dr Leon Schreiber), producing a notable shift in tone and operational delivery. ANC retains dominant constitutional and economic ministries.

Who it affects: Broad policy direction; Home Affairs under DA minister.

South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 20 Jun 2024
In force Citizenship

Constitutional Court ruling — dual citizenship by birth not lost through naturalisation in another country

The Constitutional Court ruled in DA v Minister of Home Affairs (June 2024) that SA citizens do not lose their SA citizenship by acquiring another country's citizenship — striking down the statutory provision that had automatically terminated SA citizenship on foreign naturalisation. Material for the SA diaspora and their children; application/re-registration processes developed through 2024–2025.

Who it affects: SA citizens who have naturalised in another country; broader citizenship pathway clarity.

South African Government ↗ · Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 26 Mar 2024
In force Other

Sustained easing of Eskom load-shedding from 2024

After the worst load-shedding period in SA history (2022–2023), Eskom's operational performance materially improved from March 2024, with sustained periods of reduced or absent rolling blackouts. Caused by improved Eskom operations, private-sector renewable-energy investment (rooftop solar, utility-scale independent power producers), and demand-side management. Not yet permanently eliminated but the operational backdrop for remote workers is dramatically improved.

Who it affects: All SA residents, with significant impact on home-based remote work feasibility.

South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Mar 2024
In force Taxation

SARS tax residency confirmed for Remote Work Visa holders exceeding 183 days

SARS confirmed in 2024 that Remote Work Visa holders are subject to SA tax residence rules — tax residence is triggered by either the "ordinarily resident" test OR physical presence for 91+ days in the current tax year plus 915+ days over the preceding 5 years. Remote Work Visa holders exceeding 183 days must register with SARS. Double-taxation agreement relief may apply for applicants from treaty-partner countries.

Who it affects: Remote Work Visa holders and other long-term non-SA residents.

South African Revenue Service ↗ · Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Apr 2023
In force Residency

Border Management Authority operational

The Border Management Authority (BMA) became operational from April 2023, consolidating border-management functions previously split across multiple departments (Home Affairs, SAPS, SARS Customs, Department of Agriculture). Material improvement in border-post processing speed and integration; ongoing operational refinement through 2024–2026.

Who it affects: All travellers entering and exiting SA.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · South African Government ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 2 Feb 2022
In force Visa & immigration

Critical Skills List 2022 revision in force; further review consultation ongoing

The February 2022 revision of the Critical Skills List remains the operative version through 2025–2026. The list includes approximately 100 occupations across science/engineering, healthcare, agriculture, ICT, and skilled trades. Minister Schreiber announced in 2024 a further review consultation to align with current labour-market needs; results expected 2025–2026.

Who it affects: Critical Skills Work Visa applicants.

Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19