Expat professionals in South Africa concerned over their futures

Foreign professionals with specific skills important to the economy are now concerned about their futures In South Africa.

A copy of a truncated list of essential skills is now circulating amongst South Africa’s expat community and is, according to those who’ve seen it, marked ‘draft confidential’. The list outlines a number of skills deemed essential to protecting and growing the country’s economy, and is now causing genuine concern amongst expat workers. It’s believed the list is part of new legislation intended to be rushed through the country’s parliament without any discussion, although the government is denying the rumour.

Long-term expat professionals suspect the apparent move is intended to curb terms related to expatriate employment as part of a general and growing climate of economic nationalism focused on curbs in the hiring of experienced expatriates. Due to the continued existence of grim townships containing literally millions of poverty-stricken blacks after 25 years of freedom from apartheid, access to skilled jobs is a delicate issue with whites. Unemployment is still standing at around 27 per cent, with the national election taking place later this year, making political sensitivities on the issue of inequality especially relevant.

As part of the election process, SA President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to revamp immigration rules in line with boosting foreign investment in the now-industrialised economy. The list is said to be shorter and more restrictive in certain sectors, with reductions in earth and life sciences and the total removal of architecture. Business Leadership SA’s CEO views the reductions as ‘unhelpful’, adding the country is already suffering from a significant skills shortage. Legal minds are suggesting the list actually excludes much-needed skills lacking in the country, such as AI engineers and corporate general managers.

The new guidelines, due to be formally introduced in April, are expected to affect many thousands of expatriates living and working in South Africa, with appeals against visa refusals expected to take some years to filter through the courts as well as costing applicants a great deal of money. According to South Africa’s immigration department, consultations are still ongoing and arguments from either side of certain economic sectors are expected to take a while to resolve. In the meantime, talented expats are already feeling the pinch, with one German female corporate general manager of an IT company now challenging the recent rejection of her renewal application.

SA’s tech sector seems to be a focus of the list, with immigration officers already delaying or even rejecting critical skills visas for expat applicants. The sector is an essential tool for economic development, but needs experienced expat skills as local tech training is in need of improvement. Immigration is seen as a double-edged sword as it prevents local talent from finding jobs, but in this fast-growing sector it’s needed until SA’s tech training and education catches up with the USA and Europe.