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The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Businesses tap Home Affairs' visa reforms to recruit foreign talent and boost tourism
Home Affairs schemes targeting skilled foreign workers and tourism businesses have reaped rewards for employers. Businesses are using recent Department of Home Affairs (DHA) innovations to recruit the best foreign talent. Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber listed his department's successes since taking over the portfolio last year as he presented his budget for the upcoming financial year. The department introduced a host of measures last year, including the ability for companies to register as priority recruiters of foreign employees. Engineers wanted The Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) was introduced following a review of South Africa's work visa adjudications that found the system to have an 'unpredictable nature'. Businesses looking to employ skilled foreign workers are able to apply to the DHA for recognition as a trusted employer to access a streamlined path to recruitment. The criteria for approval include a track record of compliance with labour and tax regulations. Those approved are rewarded with reduced requirements for a predetermined number of visa applications. Schrieber said on Thursday that one company had used the scheme to recruit 246 software engineers and Eskom had recruited 147 nuclear engineers to work at Koeberg. The minister did not reveal the total number of skilled foreign workers to have recently been given a TES visa, but confirmed 71 companies were TES-approved. Home Affairs winning A similar programme exists for tourism companies called the Truster Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). Schreiber boasted that 65 tour operators were approved during phase one of the programme, with 45 more having been approved during phase two. This has resulted in the creation of at least 1 200 jobs in the sector, and South Africa has welcomed roughly 17 000 tourists from China and India alone since February through TTOS businesses. At the other end of the scale, DHA have facilitated the deportation of 46 000 foreign nationals. '[That is] the highest figure in more than five years and more than countries like France and Germany combined,' said Schreiber. Additionally, illegal border crossing detections have increased 215% thanks to drone and body camera technology deployed at the border. R11 billion budget Other successes include the clearing of a backlog of 300 000 visa applications and the issuing of 3.6 million smart IDs — the most used in a financial year. Schreiber announced he was tabling an R11 billion budget, an increase of over R300 million for each of the next three years. The Border Management Authority will receive R5.5 billion over the next three years. 'Home Affairs is on a transformative journey. If we can make Home Affairs work, so too can South Africa work,' 'If this is what Home Affairs could do in just one year, imagine what we can do in five,' beamed the minister. NOW READ: Here is what's causing delays at Home Affairs offices
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Thinking of going to Africa for an animal safari? Here's why you should plan one soon
The thrill of the chase, the anticipation of seeing a big cat in their natural habitat, the bumpy jeep rides & the satisfaction of finally getting what you came for - a safari, be it in Africa or India, is an exciting break away from the work-life hustle. Far removed from the luxuries that a city can offer, swapping a relaxing vacation to live in the jungle means roughing it, but this trend has become increasingly popular among people of all ages. A recent Thomas Cook report notes that, for around 75% of Indians, experiential travel is taking centre stage. And one such experience that's seeing an uptick is Wildlife Safaris (around 32%). They are all-inclusive, adventurous and allow travellers to come face-to-face with Nature. With safari season in Africa from May to August and Indian Safari season best done between October to June, this is the perfect time to plan your next trip. A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney) Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Leisure Travel & M.I.C.E, Thomas Cook India Limited, says, 'Africa has emerged as a highly sought-after destination for leisure travel for multigenerational families, young working professionals, and friend groups seeking one-of-a-kind outdoor and luxury experiences. There is also a lot of demand for wildlife safaris retreats from corporate MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) groups.' Botswana and Rwanda offer eco-conscious lodges, while other prefer to combine 'beach-and-bush' itineraries as travelers combine safaris in Kenya or Tanzania with a luxury retreat in Zanzibar, Seychelles, or South Africa's Cape Town. With the Indian passport ranked at 85 (Henley Passport Index 2025) and some 50 destinations allowing visa-free/visa-on-arrival, the travel preference leans to locations that make entry easy. Its also no secret that countries which make the visa process a breeze have seen Indians flock to those locales. A post shared by Ananya 🌙 (@ananyapanday) Africa wants to get in on the action. In January, South Africa introduced a new visa regime - the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). "This allows approved tour operators to register with the department and submit group visa applications for their travellers, streamlining the process and cutting through red tape," read a press note by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs. Another reason that African safaris are gaining popularity? An increasing number of celebrities are vacationing there. Recently, actors Sydney Sweeney and Luke Evans, and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles shared snips from their jungle safaris. Even actors like Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ananya Panday have visited the continent and enjoyed an adventurous trip. A post shared by SIMONE BILES (@simonebiles) For travel blogger Mahek Desai, travelling to Africa's Masai Mara is a dream come true. 'I am doing a solo safari trip. It's my birthday gift to myself. I find myself happier with animals and I just know it is going to be amazing,' she says. On the other hand, retiree Rajnikant Mirkar and his wife Trupti have just got back form an 'unforgettable experience' with a jeep-load of memories. He says, 'We are nature lovers and we have visited most of India's wildlife sanctuaries. So we decided to head to Africa to experience it as well. We visited Kenya and Tanzania, along with the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro National Park. We're lucky to spot the big 5 - the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, African elephant, and African buffalo.' Engineering student Nile Lopes has grown up watching wildlife documentaries on television. He says, 'Visiting Africa and going on a safari has been a childhood dream. We were followed by African buffalo, spotted a herd of elephant and zebras, and even saw a pride of lions resting in the shades of acacia trees.' If you are making plans to travel to Africa for the safari season, Manoj Adlakha, Founder & CEO, RedBeryl, shares a few tips that will help: Back home in India, jungle safaris are also gaining traction with celebrities like actor-couple Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, and former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar spending time in Jhalana Leopard Reserve in Jaipur and Kaziranga National Park, Assam. In May, giving further impetus to the tourism trend of safaris, the Maharashtra government approved a ₹286 crore tiger safari project in Chandrapur. On the other hand, in the Botanical Garden in Kondapur in Hyderabad, one can hop on a bus, don a VR headset and let nature come alive across a 2-kilometre safari ride, where you are transported to the dense forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats or Antarctica's icy slopes. You can also have digital encounters with big cats, penguins, and other exotic creatures. However, if you've been under the impression that safaris only happen in the summer or winter months in India, think again. Several Indian national parks are open to tourists during the monsoons. Wildlife photographer Priyansha Singh tells us, 'While the core zones in northern and central parts of India are closed in the rainy months (usually July to September), the southern parks, like Periyar (in Kerala), Nagarhole, Kabini, Bandipur (in Karnataka), and Ranthambore (in Rajasthan), etc, and the buffer zones are open." And publicist Priyanka Deepak Joshi couldn't agree more. During her recent trip ot Gir National Park (Gujarat) with her family, she spotted several big cats and has 'amazing experience'. 'I saw a lioness walk by our jeep and it was so thrilling. While the rains have made a difference, it actually makes spotting animals like lions more visually striking against the green background,' she tells us. Even resorts and hotels present in and around sanctuaries are seeing a higher number of requests for monsoon safaris. Rajat Gera, Commercial Director of Six Senses Fort Barwara, which is located in Ranthambore National Park, says, 'We've observed a notable evolution in the profile of luxury travelers visiting us during the rainy season." If you ask him what makes this type of safari an interesting travel time, he shares, "The Monsoon Safari reveals the forest in its most vibrant form — lush and teeming with new life. Following the dry summer, the rains breathe life back into the landscape and wildlife sightings take on an unexpected character. With fewer safari gates open, the experience becomes is exclusive and personal, as animals roam, play, and hunt once again.'
The South African
29-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Home Affairs' new TTOS sees over 11 000 tourists processed
South Africa's Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has already seen a number of China and India-focused tour operators reaping significant rewards from the new programme. According to Tourism Update , the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) recently revealed that a total of 11 144 tourists have been processed through the platform since it was established in February this year. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber also reported that the volume of daily TTOS applications had grown from an average of 50 in March 2025 to 210 in May 2025. The DHA said that the TTOS currently grants 65 approved tour operators access to a digital platform where they are allowed to submit and receive visa outcomes for tour groups from both China and India. Johan Groenewald, one of these approved tour operators for India, highlighted a 'vast improvement' in visa processing through the TTOS. 'It is efficient and fast and the DHA is keeping to its commitment to process within a maximum five working days,' Groenewald said as per Tourism Update . 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.
India Gazette
28-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
More Chinese, Indian tourists visit South Africa under digital visa scheme
A total of 11,144 tourists from China and India have obtained digital visas to South Africa through the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) since its launch on Feb. 11, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs said on Tuesday. JOHANNESBURG, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 11,144 tourists from China and India have obtained digital visas to South Africa through the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) since its launch on Feb. 11, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs said on Tuesday. The government introduced the TTOS to enable tourists from China and India to easily apply for visas to visit South Africa. In a statement, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber said the volume of applications has grown consistently from an average of 50 per day in March, to 135 per day in April, and to 210 per day in May. "It is important to note that TTOS is still just a small-scale proof of concept. But after three months of operation, it is already clear that it has been a resounding success," said Schreiber. "This amounts to almost a third of all tourists from China who visited South Africa last year. The success of TTOS demonstrates the enormous growth potential that we can unlock by rolling out a digital-only visa platform -- not only for group travel from these 65 partners, but for every tourist in the world," he said. He said research shows that one new job is created for every 13 tourists who visit the country, suggesting that TTOS has already created 857 new tourism jobs since February with just one reform alone. The TTOS visas ensure that potential tourists from those two target source markets digitally apply for visas within a matter of hours, as opposed to taking days, including visiting the offices of the South African government in those countries, according to Schreiber. "In addition to shortly announcing a second intake of tour operators to further boost the number of group tours attracted through TTOS, we are on track to deliver a world-class Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system this year," the minister said. "This system will completely digitalize and automate all tourism and short-stay visas, enabling every tourist on earth who wants to visit South Africa to instantly and securely obtain a digital visa. Not only will this eliminate fraud and inefficiency, but, as TTOS demonstrates beyond all doubt, it will amount to the single biggest reform to boost job creation in the tourism sector in a decade," he said. South Africa appointed 65 tour operators from China, India and locally to facilitate group visa applications for tourists who intend to visit in groups. China and India are some of the key tourist source markets from which South Africa intends to lure more visitors.
The Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Digital visa scheme brings more than 11,000 Chinese and Indian tourists to SA in three months
Operation Vulindlela, which monitors progress in key structural reforms, found one job is created for every 13 tourists visiting the country. Based on this ratio, TTOS has already helped create an estimated 857 new tourism jobs since February. Previously, tourists from China and India were required to travel long distances to apply for visas, often receiving outcomes too late to travel. Under TTOS, visa outcomes are delivered digitally within hours through a secure online platform. Schreiber highlighted that last year's total number of tourists from China to South Africa stood at just more than 30,000, making the 11,000 brought in through TTOS in only three months 'almost a third of all tourists from China who visited South Africa last year'. ' The success of TTOS demonstrates the enormous growth potential we can unlock by rolling out a digital-only visa platform — not only for group travel from these 65 partners but for every tourist in the world. The minister confirmed plans to expand the scheme with a second intake of tour operators and rollout of a broader Electronic Travel Authorisation system later this year. ' This system will digitalise and automate tourism and short-stay visas, enabling every tourist on earth who wants to visit South Africa to instantly and securely obtain a digital visa,' said Schreiber. 'Not only will this eliminate fraud and inefficiency, but, as TTOS demonstrates beyond doubt, it will amount to the single biggest reform to boost job creation in the tourism sector in decades.' TimesLIVE
