Home affairs takes first steps towards digital transformation with new visa waiver process

Source: City Press, 30/08/2024

Over time, this digital-first approach is expected to be extended to other visa and permit applicants
department of home affairs (DoHA) has embarked on a significant step towards digital transformation, with Minister Dr Leon Schreiber announcing a new rule for the delivery of visa waiver application outcomes via email.
This initiative, which marks a shift from traditional paper-based processes, aims to enhance the efficiency of the department’s services and address longstanding administrative challenges.
Effective immediately, the first phase of this rollout will focus on holders of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs), who will now receive the outcomes of their waiver applications digitally.
Over time, this digital-first approach is expected to be extended to other visa and permit applicants.
By transitioning to email-based notifications, the department said it eliminates the need for applicants to visit VFS branches to collect physical copies of their waiver letters.
Instead, digital waiver letters, delivered in PDF format, will be sent directly to applicants’ email addresses, streamlining the process of submitting mainstream visa applications.
This move comes in the wake of Minister Schreiber’s recent warning about the dire state of the DoH which he highlighted as a national security concern.
Addressing Parliament’s portfolio committee on home affairs last week, Schreiber underscored the urgent need for comprehensive digital transformation within the department.
He stressed that the challenges facing the DoH are not merely administrative issues but are indicative of a deeper systemic crisis.
The minister urged parliament to support the proposed digital overhaul as a critical measure to safeguard national security.
In a statement on Thursday, Schreiber said:
While this step may seem small, it is a significant part of our broader efforts to combat corruption and enhance service efficiency by transforming Home Affairs into a digital-first department.
He noted that the adoption of digital processes has already accelerated efforts to clear the department’s decade-old permitting backlog.
Of the initial 306 000 unprocessed applications, 60 582 ZEP waiver applications have now been processed, with another 22 529 set to follow shortly.
Schreiber acknowledged that the department has been severely under-resourced, with only 40% of the necessary staff available.
However, he expressed his determination to leverage technology to maximise efficiency and improve service delivery despite these challenges.
For applicants who prefer to collect physical copies of their ZEP waiver letters, the option remains available at VFS branches.
The department also reassured applicants that digital notifications sent from official email addresses should be trusted as legitimate.
Official email addresses
• No-reply1.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply2.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply3.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply4.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply5.dhasa@vfshelpline.com
• No-reply6.dhasa@vfshelpline.com