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IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Hospitality industry says South Africa's new visa schemes set to boost film and meetings sectors
Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, on Wednesday announced the launch of two further digital visa initiatives in a bid to support the rollout of the pending Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, and building on the success of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). Image: Parliament of SA The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) has heralded a transformative move as two innovative visa categories, specifically tailored for the film and meetings sectors, are set to take effect. This comes after the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, on Wednesday announced the launch of two further digital visa initiatives in a bid to support the rollout of the pending Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, and building on the success of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). The Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES) will simplify visa access for film production companies as the outdated and paper-based systems hinder the industry. "In just one example, a major Netflix production from Mexico was lost due to visa delays, costing South Africa an estimated R400 million in lost income," Schreiber said. "But thanks to STAGES, companies will now be able to apply via a dedicated online portal, receive visa decisions within hours, and will no longer be required to visit missions in-person abroad." The Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme (MEETS) will see visa applications for international attendees at major conferences, sporting events, exhibitions and other international events processed entirely online, with rapid turnaround times. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "[MEETS] will support events such as the SA20 cricket tournament and the World Rugby Sevens, allowing global talent to arrive without delay and injecting further growth into our economy," Schreiber said. "Together, STAGES and MEETS are set to transform South Africa into a leading destination for film, tourism, sports, arts, culture and events – all sectors with enormous potential for growth and job creation." Fedhasa on Thursday said STAGES and MEETS were promising to overhaul the outdated visa system that has hindered growth and profitability in South Africa's entertainment and business tourism industries. Rosemary Anderson, National Chairperson of Fedhasa, expressed her enthusiasm about these changes. "It is refreshing and heartwarming to witness a Minister who so clearly understands, in practical terms, how our outdated visa regime has been costing South Africa dearly," Anderson said. "The STAGES and MEETS visa categories are not just policy reforms – they are powerful economic enablers that signal to the world that South Africa istruly open for business." Anderson said the global film landscape served as an illustrative blueprint for the potential success of South Africa's updated policies. For instance, she said Canada had achieved remarkable financial gains from its streamlined visa processes, generating C$11.3 billion (approximately R155 billion) in direct film and TV production spending in just the last year. Anderson said that similarly, Georgia has experienced a 250% surge in foreign film productions over the past five years, primarily driven by its efficient visa and incentive initiatives. "South Africa, with its stunning locations and skilled crews, is exceptionally well-placed to emulate this success. In 2019/2020, our film sector contributed R7.2bn to the economy – a figure which has since declined due to both COVID-19 and administrative delays. These new reforms give us every reason to believe we can not only recover but soar," Anderson said. The MEETS visa is projected to unlock profound value in South Africa's MICE sector, which generated R120bn in 2023, with ample possibilities for future growth. Countries such as Singapore and Thailand have successfully benefited from streamlined visa access, positioning themselves as global MICE leaders. Singapore's industry generated S$3.8 billion (R53bn) in 2022, while Thailand attracted over 1.3 million MICE travellers in 2023.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's new digital visa initiatives: a game-changer for film and tourism
Dr Leon Schreiber, the Minister of Home Affairs, announced that his department will introduce two new visa categories to stimulate the film and tourism industries. Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers The Department of Home Affairs is preparing to introduce two new visa categories under the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) visa framework. Dr Leon Schreiber, the Minister of Home Affairs, announced these initiatives as part of the department's efforts to transform into an economic enabler. 'Building on the extraordinary success of the trusted tour operator scheme and to support the pending rollout of the ETA, we are launching two further digital visa initiatives,' Schreiber stated. The first initiative is called STAGES, which stands for Screening Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme. This programme aims to simplify visa access for film production companies by eliminating outdated, paper-based systems. A notable example of the need for this reform is a recent incident where a major Netflix production from Mexico was lost due to visa delays, costing South Africa an estimated $400 million in potential income. With STAGES, companies will be able to apply through a digital online portal, receive visa decisions within hours, and will no longer need to visit missions abroad in person. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The second initiative is named MEETS, which stands for Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme. South Africa is renowned for its beautiful destinations and world-class events; yet outdated visa systems have often frustrated international event organisers. Through MEETS, visa applications for international attendees at major conferences, sporting events, exhibitions, and other events will be processed entirely online, ensuring rapid turnaround times. Schreiber noted that this initiative will support significant upcoming events, such as the SA20 cricket tournament and the World Rugby Sevens, allowing global talent to arrive without delay and injecting further growth into the economy. "Together, STAGES and MEETS are set to position South Africa as a leading destination for film, tourism, sports, arts, culture, and events - sectors with enormous potential for growth and job creation," said Schreiber. In our next phase of turning Home Affairs into an economic enabler, I am delighted to announce two new pioneering digital visa schemes: STAGES (Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme) will create a seamless digital visa system for the film industry, and MEETS (Meetings,… — Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) July 8, 2025 The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) has applauded the introduction of these new visa categories. 'It is refreshing and heartwarming to witness a Minister who clearly understands how our outdated visa regime has been costing South Africa dearly,' said Rosemary Anderson, national chairperson of Fedhasa. 'The STAGES and MEETS visa categories are not just policy reforms; they are powerful economic enablers that signal to the world that South Africa is truly open for business.' Anderson highlighted that globally, the economic potential of being "film-friendly" is immense. Canada has seen enormous benefits from its streamlined visa processes and incentives for filmmakers, generating over C$11.3 billion (R155 billion) in direct film and TV production spending in 2022 alone. Similarly, Georgia has experienced a 250% increase in foreign film productions over five years, thanks in part to its efficient visa and incentive programmes. 'South Africa, with its stunning locations and skilled crews, is exceptionally well-placed to emulate this success,' Anderson explained. 'In 2019/2020, our film sector contributed R7.2 billion to the economy - a figure that has since declined due to both Covid-19 and administrative delays. These new reforms give us every reason to believe we can not only recover but soar.' She also said that the country's rich culture, world-class facilities, and natural beauty can position us as a premier MICE destination, but only if the red tape is removed. 'The MEETS visa is a major stride in that direction.' She noted that job creation, economic growth, and global competitiveness hinge on practical, fast, and business-friendly policies. 'With STAGES and MEETS, South Africa sends a clear and confident message to the world: we are ready, we are open, and we are welcoming the world to our shores to do business, create jobs, and tell our stories,' said Anderson.
The South African
6 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Home Affairs to introduce two new visas in South Africa
South Africa will be rolling out two new digital visas designed to supercharge the country's appeal as a hotspot for international film productions and major global events. According to BusinessTech , Minister Leon Schreiber unveiled the upcoming visa initiatives during the Home Affairs budget vote in Parliament. STAGES and MEETS, as the new visa schemes are called, will be two major overhauls aimed at cutting red tape and unlocking billions in potential revenue for the country. STAGES, short for Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme , will offer a streamlined visa process for film and television crews. Schreiber emphasised the urgency of modernisation, citing a recent example where South Africa lost out on a R400 million Netflix production from Mexico due to clunky, paper-based systems. 'But thanks to STAGES, companies will now be able to apply via a dedicated online portal, receive visa decisions within hours, and will no longer be required to visit missions in person abroad,' Schreiber said, as per BusinessTech . The second initiative, MEETS, which stands for Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme, targets global event organisers. Despite South Africa's reputation as a premier events destination, visa delays have long been a pain point for international attendees. MEETS will basically allow participants of conferences, expos, sporting events, and festivals to apply for visas digitally, with promises of quick turnaround times. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
