SA authorities hopes the visa reform will stop the sort of red-tape fiasco that noticed the nation lose a R400 million Netflix manufacturing earlier this yr.
South Africa is rolling out a brand new digital visa system to make it simpler for worldwide movie and leisure firms to shoot regionally – a long-awaited transfer following years of complaints about bureaucratic delays.
The Division of Residence Affairs this week introduced the launch of the Display screen Expertise and World Leisure Scheme (STAGES), a first-of-its-kind digital platform designed to course of film-related visas in as little as 24 hours.
The imaginative and prescient for the initiative was first outlined by the Minister of Residence Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, earlier this yr and is now coming to fruition.
What’s the ‘STAGES’ visa scheme?
The brand new visa system replaces the outdated, paper-heavy course of that usually pressured manufacturing firms to attend weeks and even months for approval.
In a single high-profile case, delays reportedly brought on a significant Netflix manufacturing price R400 million to relocate – a pricey blow to South Africa’s inventive economic system.
“A significant Netflix manufacturing from Mexico was misplaced to visa delays, costing South Africa an estimated R400 million in misplaced revenue,” Schreiber famous throughout his Price range Vote speech in July.
The Residence Affairs Minister stated STAGES was a part of the Division’s broader drive to turn into an “financial enabler” relatively than an impediment to development.
“The introduction of STAGES is the most recent thrilling step in our digital transformation journey,” Schreiber stated in a press release on Thursday.
“The inventive business is the most recent sector to expertise the advantages of our dedication to reform, because the rollout of STAGES coincides with different profitable reforms that embrace the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) and the continuing rollout of the Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA).”
What’s the subsequent step for manufacturing firms?
Below STAGES, worldwide movie firms with a confirmed observe file are invited to submit expressions of curiosity.
A devoted adjudication staff will oversee functions, handle communication, and guarantee predictable turnaround occasions.
The transfer has been broadly welcomed by the native movie sector, which has lengthy argued that crimson tape undermines South Africa’s competitiveness.
“My message to the worldwide inventive business is easy: we all know you have got at all times needed to movie your productions in South Africa, essentially the most stunning nation on the planet that’s already outfitted with the infrastructure required for inventive manufacturing,” Schreiber added.
“The time has now lastly come to show that ambition into actuality.”
