Good news for travellers and locals alike, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has made a huge comeback! Under Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber, the department has reduced visa delays and increased efficiency.

Work visa processing has skyrocketed, with general work visas experiencing a significant increase in on-time approvals, jumping from 10% to 98%. The department also issued 3.6 million smart ID cards, nearly a million more than expected.

Thanks to reforms under the Medium Term Development Plan (2024–2029), tourism and investment are also getting a boost. The Trusted Tour Operator Scheme alone attracted 40,000 tourists and created 3,000 jobs, demonstrating that effective systems and strong leadership can deliver tangible results.