Our team consists of experienced lawyers at various levels with specialist knowledge in immigration law and employment law. We assist local and international companies, as well as individuals, to successfully navigate South Africa's immigration regulatory requirements.
Our expertise encompasses bringing skilled foreign nationals and their immediate families (where necessary) to South Africa. Furthermore, our team is uniquely positioned to assist clients in South Africa with corporate immigration strategies, employment, recruitment, work visa requirements, tax advice and dispute resolution in respect of the employment or prospective employment of foreign nationals.
Our team assists with the following South African immigration-related aspects:
- Corporate immigration strategy and advice.
- Various visa applications (including but not limited to work, visitors, spousal, study and business visas) - including initial applications, renewal applications, waiver applications and appeal applications.
- Permanent residence applications in all categories.
- Obtaining and following up on e-visa outcomes.
- Verification checks for statuses of refugees, asylum seekers, visa holders, permanent residence, and ID's. In addition to employment history and qualifications.
- Advice on tax exposures and planning.
We provide end-to-end support to clients, including but not limited to:
- Assessing and advising on the appropriate immigration process through a detailed recommendation. Our recommendations include advice on what the foreign national qualifies for, our fee proposal and applicable disbursements, as well as estimated processing times for how long the application may take after submission (processing periods will differ depending on where the application is submitted, and potential risks involved).
- Collecting and collating necessary documents from the South African employer and/or foreign national.
- Assisting with forms and letter preparation, application filing and follow-up with relevant officials at the Department of Home Affairs and South African Embassies/High Commissions abroad.
- Updating application status, lodging appeals, and collecting outcomes as needed.
- Assisting South African employers with verifying the status of foreign nationals (ie refugees, asylum seekers, visa holders, permanent residents, employment etc), South African citizens and permanent residents through Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE).
- Conducting bespoke compliance audits and/or due diligence investigations and/or gap analyses in line with prescribed immigration statutory requirements.
Our team supports various clients through every stage of immigration procedures, potential risks, and application processes, positioning us well to service the future immigration needs of any company or individual.
