South Africa increasingly risks being left off digital nomads’ travel bucket lists as more and more competitor destinations enact remote worker visas.
“This, as our neighbouring country, Namibia, joins others across the world in rolling out the visa to international travellers,” said City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos.
Namibia is the fourth African country to introduce a digital nomad visa, behind Mauritius, Seychelles and Cape Verde. About 40 countries globally have pushed out visas for digital nomads, with Spain and Portugal being the latest in Europe to do so.
Vos explained that Namibia’s visa platform followed a similar format to the one he proposed to the national Government over a year ago in that it requires users to demonstrate proof of sustainable income for themselves and their dependants (US$2 000/R36 400 – applicant) as well as US$62 upon arrival in the country as payment for the visa. The Namibian visa will be applicable for up to six months.
“In my proposal, I demonstrated that the Government would simply need to make an amendment to Section 11 of the Immigration Act, which relates to an extension of visas beyond 90 days for specific activities,” highlighted Vos.
He suggested that the amended Act should also include the following requirements:
- An applicant must have evidence of employment abroad, as well as sufficient income from such employment, or own business registered abroad;
- Prohibit the applicant’s work activities in South Africa;
- Allow the applicant’s dependants to accompany them, on application.
“It is unclear what progress has been made on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s February State of the Nation announcement that his Government would begin looking into the visa. The longer it stalls on this matter, the further South Africa will fall down the list of appealing destinations for these travellers who reportedly spend up to R50 000 (€2 830) per visit,” noted Vos.
Partnerships
Vos noted that Cape Town was pushing ahead to be as ready as possible to welcome long-term travellers by working in conjunction with the City government’s official destination marketing organisation, Cape Town Tourism, partnering with the homestay platform, Airbnb.
The partnership agreement will include a range of initiatives, such as a dedicated custom-built Airbnb hub for Cape Town that will showcase top local long-term listings and information relating to entry requirements and visa policies.
“We are also working with other accommodation providers and organisations such as FEDHASA on product pricing and readiness that aligns with the needs of remote workers,” said Vos.
Cape Town is already listed as one of the top destinations for digital nomads with users of Nestpick, another global housing rental platform, ranking it the 16th best city in the world.
“With a remote worker visa, South Africa will increase its appeal to international travellers, who drive major revenue and jobs into local economies,” reiterated Vos.
