Despite the international attention that is currently focussed on
migratory flows directed towards Europe and other Western countries,
the continued flow of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers along the
southern corridor to South Africa via Kenya, Tanzania and other
southern African countries is significant.


Available figures from 2009 indicate that between 17,000 and 20,000
Somalis and Ethiopians are smuggled along the southern corridor
towards South Africa every year, with Ethiopian nationals accounting
for at least two thirds of the estimates. Anecdotal information and
scattered quantitative data (such as estimates on the number of
Ethiopians entering Kenya on a daily basis or the number of migrants
transiting through Malawi per month) suggest this smuggling business
is as active as ever. Further, out of an estimated 62,200 asylum
applications received in South Africa in 2015, Ethiopian nationals
accounted for about 15% (or 9,300). Other sources indicate there are
about 40,000 Ethiopian migrants living in South Africa as of
2015.


Why are Ethiopians leaving Ethiopia?


Ethiopia is hailed as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa,
with its growth averaging 10.8% per annum between 2003 and 2014 as a
result of improved performance in services, agricultural sectors and
increased public investment. About 70% of the country`s population,
(nearly 100 million), is under the age of 30, yet lack of employment
opportunities (25% of youth aged 15 to 29 reported being underemployed
in 2014) adds to migratory pressures among the young people. As
Ethiopia`s economy grows, it is likely that emigration will increase
in future as more people will have the resources they need to finance
their aspirations to migrate.

While Ethiopia`s democracy has been cited as progressive [video] by
the US government, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other organizations
have reported on extensive human rights abuses in Ethiopia including
arbitrary arrests and detention of perceived supporters of opposition
parties, protesters, journalists and abuses related to government
development programs. In June 2016, Ethiopia was elected as
non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for a two year
term starting January 2017. The government in a statement noted that
it would address (among others) illegal immigration during its
term.


The majority of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers travelling to
South Africa are young people aged between 18 and 35 in search of a
better life or using South Africa as a springboard to other developed
countries in Europe or North America. Some Ethiopian migrants and
asylum seekers interviewed in Nairobi said they chose the southward
route (and not the westward route through Sudan and Libya to Europe)
due to cost, convenience, proximity, safety and presence of
relatives/friends in transit countries and South Africa.


According to data from RMMS` Mixed Migration Monitoring Mechanism
(4mi), the most common push factors cited by Ethiopian migrants on the
southern route are economic factors followed by political factors and
positive perception about migration. Economic factors are related to
unemployment and poverty while some migrants cited a sense of
responsibility to family or community to send remittances. Political
push factors are mainly qualified by oppression and tribal or ethnic
discrimination. V.1782

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
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One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
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A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
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On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
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The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
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1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
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Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
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