CENTRALIZATION OF FUNCTIONS TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS HEAD OFFICE
May 2005
In a dramatic move the Director-General of Home Affairs has
withdrawn the delegations to the regional offices of the Department
of Home Affairs, and by implication to the Consular offices of the
South African High Commissions and Embassies world wide with effect
from the 1st June 2005.
What this in essence means is that whilst applications for all permanent residence will be taken in at the
relevant regional offices and/or High Commissions and Embassies,
that all applications will only be
processed through their initial phases at such office, with no
decisions being made at that office.
Immigration Directive number 3 of 2005 was has just been issued
deals with the situation covered in this article.
The applications will, after the initial processing, be referred on
to the Department of Home Affairs Head Office where a Committee
chaired by the Deputy Director-General of the National Immigration
Branch (the “NIB”) will make a final decision and where the
permanent residence permit will be issued and communicated back to
the regional office, High Commission or Embassy.
This places applicants in a similar position to which they found
themselves in prior to the policy changes in the year 2000 which
delegated decision making powers to the regions, High Commissions
and Embassies.
In our opinion this centralization will bring about the similar
delays to those which prevailed prior to the implementation of the
current Immigration Act number 13 of 2002.
Further information will be published in subsequent updates to this
website and in our newsletters.
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to
contact office or visit our website for further information at
www.immigration-sa.com
JULIAN POKROY
IMMIGRATION SPECIALIST ATTORNEY
IMMIGRATION SA
Tel : (012) 460-3410 / 072 372 6007
Fax : (012) 346-1434
Cell : 082 558 5002
Web : www.immigration-sa.com
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