2026 is set to be a big year for immigration reform in South Africa. According to a Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, a major overhaul is going to prioritise the economy, say experts.
Moreover, immigration reform in South Africa promises to tighten rules for retirement visas and introduce new merit-based work and investment visas. Accordingly, only applicants demonstrating ‘economic merit’ to South Africa will be considered under the new policies …
2026 IMMIGRATION REFORM IN SOUTH AFRICA
This is the interpretation of immigration reform by Xpatweb, which explained the changes for foreign nationals seeking work visas and permanent residency. Furthermore, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) wants to introduce the following changes this year:
- Higher age thresholds for retirement visas.
- Further refinement to work visa categories.
- Tax changes from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) regardless of immigrant status.
- Administrative fines from the Border Management Authority on visa overstayers.
Public comment on the Draft Revised White Paper can be submitted before Saturday 15 February 2026 by clicking HERE.
POSITIVE CHANGES FOR SOUTH AFRICA
In the interim, the 2026 immigration reform changes have been largely met with positivity. For employers, the reforms promise greater predictability and alignment, particularly in sectors with skills constraints. And for migrants, the emphasis now shifts away from length of residence alone, towards demonstrable skills and economic contribution.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber says South Africa’s current visa regime fails to attract the migrants needed to drive economic growth. And work and business visas represent only a small fraction of total applications versus family and humanitarian visas. According to Daily Investor, between 2021 and 2025, the DHA received the following applications:
- 122 000 applications for section 11(6) Visitors’/Relatives’ visas.
- 18 320 applications for General Work visas.
- 12 944 applications for Critical Skills Work visas.
- 435 Business visas.
IMMIGRATION REFORM AS AN ECONOMIC ENABLER
Over the last four years, critical skills and business visas made up just 6%, while relatives’ visas accounted for 28%. The DHA says this is ‘far too few’ to drive economic growth. As such, a merit-based points system would be used to assess future applications. Applicants with critical skills, those who create jobs, invest in businesses or contribute to economic growth would score higher.
Plus, additional weight would be given to meaningful community service or innovation that benefits the country. Minister Schreiber describes this as a shift away from eligibility based on length of stay, and more toward a merit-driven system. Similar frameworks are used in countries such as Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
But what do you think? Is this sort of immigration reform in 2026 something government should be worried about? Or are there more-pressing issues to deal with? Let us know in the comments section below …
