The remote work visa is designed to attract high-earning individuals employed abroad to spend in South Africa, benefiting local businesses and services, according to the Department of Home Affairs.

Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, emphasized that these reforms are designed to position South Africa as a leading destination for investment and tourism, while creating thousands of local jobs. He also noted that the points-based system introduces a transparent process for visa applications, aiming to tackle corruption, reduce bureaucracy, and fuel economic growth.

Research from the South African Reserve Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute shows that increasing the share of highly skilled workers by just 0.02% can boost annual economic growth by up to 1.2%. The research also indicates that improving the visa system could create seven jobs for every additional skilled worker attracted to the country.