The changes will come into effect on March 1, 2020 and have been a
cause of concern for many South Africans working abroad who
currently pay no tax if they meet certain criteria. When the
changes to the act come into effect, however, only R1m of this
income will be exempt from tax in SA.
She points out that the impact of the changes is likely to be felt
the most by South Africans working in tax havens. Many of these
tax havens have high levels of indirect taxes such as VAT, but no
payroll tax.
`Let`s look at this without the emotion attached. If an expat is
earning money outside SA; but still owns property, has a family
who lives here and wants to be seen as a South African; it is
realistic for such a person to be required to pay some level of
direct tax,` says Dudley.
In her view, the R1m threshold is reasonable considering the tax
thresholds enjoyed by employees working in South Africa.
`Admittedly, most affected taxpayers are probably earning hard
currency and the current weakened rand will to some extent, negate
the impact of the R1m exemption. But expats do need to be taxed in
some way,` says Dudley.
`If an expat is already paying direct tax in another country, then
the effect of the new SA tax may be mitigated by tax paid
elsewhere in terms of a double tax agreement with possible minimal
effect.`
Dudley is of the view that Treasury is more likely to be targeting
individuals such as pilots or oil rig workers who effectively
retain a base in SA, but who work for an offshore company.
Until now, these individuals were exempt from paying tax in SA,
despite enjoying the benefits of their families living in the
country.
Another possible problem scenario she highlights relates

to people
who left South Africa years ago, although they have not
financially emigrated. They may no longer be regarded as tax
resident in SA because they have been living abroad for such a
long time.
She points out that it is also worth noting the impact of cross-
border information sharing on the implementation of expat tax
changes.
Since expats have always been required to complete a tax return in
South Africa, even if they were exempt from paying income tax on
foreign employment income, this information is already available
to the SA Revenue Service (SARS).
On top of that, due to information sharing between countries and
banks, SARS will know exactly how much is paid into anyone`s bank
account.
`Information sharing agreements were specifically noted by Finance
Minister Tito Mboweni in his 2019 National Budget as a key focus
area for fixing SARS and tightening the tax net,` cautions Dudley.
`This means expats too will increasingly be on SARS` radar,
underlining the importance of ensuring that your affairs are in
order and in compliance with these new proposed amendments.`
Fin24 reported earlier that, despite hosting a workshop recently
where they were given feedback from experts in the financial
industry, National Treasury and SARS are not budging on an
amendment to the foreign income tax exemption.
Jonty Leon, a tax attorney at Tax Consulting SA, tells Fin24 one
major point of contention is the taxation of certain fringe
benefits. `That means the exemption of only R1m stays and at the
same time fringe benefits and allowances will become taxable.` V.2816

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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