VFS Global has introduced the IDP application service at its visa centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

Durban - The Automobile Association (AA) said that they have partnered with VFS Global, and overseas travellers will now be able obtain their international driving permits (IDPs) through any one of four VFS Global application centres in South Africa.

VFS Global introduced the IDP application service in September at its visa centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

The AA said IDP applications will be managed by VFS Global on its behalf as it is the only authorised issuer of IDPs in South Africa. IDPs are regulated by the UN.

An IDP allows eligible applicants, with a South African driver’s licence, to drive vehicles in foreign countries. In addition, IDPs are another form of identification and are valid in more than 150 countries.

Sub-Saharan Africa head at VFS Global Hariprasad Viswanathan said that with the roll-out of IDPs at their application centres across four key cities in South Africa, they were confident of providing applicants with a world-class service experience by leveraging off their global experience of providing transparent and scalable solutions in the citizens service space.

“Since 2007, VFS Global has supported the economic growth and development of South Africa through our strong workforce that includes 257 nationals who support our operations daily by maintaining the highest levels of service and security.”

CEO of the AA, Willem Groenewald said that making this service

available through VFS Global’s centres was a huge benefit to travellers.

“Many people require an IDP when they’re abroad, but they aren’t always aware of how to obtain these or where. Introducing this service through VFS Global centres will make that a lot easier and provide additional comfort to travellers knowing they’ve obtained all the necessary documents to drive in a foreign country. The added advantage of an IDP is that it is another form of identification for travellers, which is always handy. We’re delighted to partner with VFS Global on this initiative, which will ultimately benefit travellers.”

“The AA can only issue IDPs to holders of a valid South African-issued driving licence. An IDP can only be obtained from the country of origin of a driving licence,” Groenewald explained.

Groenewald said that the AA cannot issue an IDP to citizens of Botswana, Lesotho or Swaziland who are in the possession of a valid driving licence issued in that country, but it can issue an IDP to citizens of Namibia who are in the possession of a valid Namibian driving licence.

“Citizens in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria can visit the VFS Global application centres in these cities to apply for their IDPs. A dedicated contact centre (012 425 3058) and email support (VFSIDP@vfshelpline.com) service are also available for customers to answer queries and track the status of an application.”

www.samigration.com V.4548

In exciting news for digital nomads, South Africa will launch a new digital nomad visa featuring two categories: a remote working visa and a critical skills visa. These visas aim to attract remote workers and skilled professionals globally as part of South Africa’s efforts to position itself as a global hub. Once put into action, this move will establish the country as only the fifth African nation offering this kind of visa to people who spend long periods working in different countries. V.5338
Click here for full article

The Home Affairs official was accused of selling passports at R3,000 to foreigners A 34-year-old former Department of Home Affairs employee will spend the weekend behind bars after being arrested on fraud and corruption charges. Malusi Mlondo appeared briefly in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody. V.5329
Click here for full article

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the arrest demonstrated the department`s zero-tolerance against corruption. • A Department of Home Affairs employee in Limpopo was sentenced to an effective eight years in jail for fraud and corruption. • NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malaba-Dzhangi said Amos Ngwenyama accepted R1 000 to fraudulently issue a birth certificate. • Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the sentencing demonstrated the department`s commitment to tackling corruption. V.5330
Click here for full article

A United Kingdom (UK) citizen - who laid a criminal charge of corruption against a Home Affairs official who wanted R60 000 to renew the retirement visas of him and his wife - is still waiting for the police probe to show results. He is also still waiting for the visas he applied for in 2022. A United Kingdom (UK) citizen - who laid a criminal charge of corruption against a Home Affairs official who wanted R60 000 to renew the retirement visas of him and his wife - is still waiting for the police probe to show results. He is also still waiting for the visas he applied for in 2022. V.5331
Click here for full article

With just a few weeks to go until the 2024 elections, the Department of Home Affairs has publicized the nation`s identification document (ID) process. The department acknowledges the critical role of voter identification in facilitating participation and ensuring electoral fairness. Delays and inefficiencies at Home Affairs have historically impeded the democratic right to vote, particularly affecting those in rural areas. V.5332
Click here for full article

SAUDI VISA FOR AFRICAN CITIZENS South Africa is not among the countries exempt from Saudi Arabia visa requirements, therefore a Saudi Arabia visa is required. South Africans need a current visa to travel to Saudi Arabia lawfully. South African citizens can obtain a Saudi electronic visa. Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East. The eVisa is an electronic visa that permits citizens from approximately 50 countries to travel to Saudi Arabia for tourism. V.5333
Click here for full article

I recently renewed my passport at Home Affairs in a bank branch and was very impressed with the service and quick turnaround time. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and major banks first launched the option to do Smart ID card and passport applications via select bank branches in 2016. It has slowly grown to around 30 locations, including branches from Absa, Discovery Bank, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank. V.5334
Click here for full article

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has spent over R412.95 million in legal fees since the start of the 2018/19 financial year - with over R117.69 million of this spent between 1 April 2023 and 29 February 2024. This was revealed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, in a recent written response in parliament. DHA has seen an exponential increase in the amount that it spends on litigation, with the current amount for 2023/24 (note these figures are until the end of February, several months short of the full financial year) nearly 16 times that of the amount spent in 2018/19. V.5335
Click here for full article

Short on time? Here are the highlights: • Following recent announcements from British Columbia and Ontario, Nova Scotia becomes the latest Canadian province to declare how its quota of study permit applications for 2024 will be distributed across sectors and institutions • As in Ontario, private institutions and language schools stand to be the most negatively affected by the distribution arrangement, but some public universities will also see significant reductions in study permit applications • All Canadian provinces have now distributed their allocation of study permit applications for 2024, and all are now also issuing provincial attestation letters (PALs) V.5336
Click here for full article

We asked the major contestants of the 29 May elections about immigration. Illustration: Lisa Nelson Today’s questions and answers to the major political parties deal with immigration. We emailed our questions to the ANC, DA, EFF, IFP, FF Plus, ActionSA, PA, MK Party, and RISE Mzansi on 13 March and sent follow-up queries to those who did not respond. Some have still not responded. Answers are very lightly edited for grammar and typos. Does your party support continued extensions of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP)? V.5337
Click here for full article