South Africa – COVID-19: Lockdown Extension and Visa/Immigration Changes So Africa–Lockdown Extension & Visa/Immigration Changes In light of the extension of the nationwide lockdown in South Africa until 30 April 2020, the government has communicated a number of changes to its usual visa processing and issuance policies. down list below. You may check the status of your application online on the website of the application centre you have applied to. During the lockdown, the Department is not receiving or adjudicating applications for visas and for permanent residence permits. Get updates on UK travel advice, Europe travel ban, Italy travel advisory, France travel ban and many more. The DHA is custodian, protector and verifier of the identity and status of citizens and other persons resident in South Africa. The Reading tip that will stay open during the third lockdown is the Smallmead Recycling Centre. The confirmation is unfortunate news for our existing clients who need to submit their SA visa applications. Those who had already travelled before lockdown to the foreign country and whose visas are due to expire soon, are urged to reach out to the concerned Embassy/Consulate for an extension. 0:00 - What Visa Centres Are Open During Second Lockdown? While some countries have closed Visa Application Centres completely, others remain functional and are accepting visa applications in certain categories. By Aliss … Please check www.vfsglobal.com to find out if the centre in your city is operational (see Question 1 on how to access this information on the VFS Global website). Hence, before visiting the Visa Application Centre, we advise you to check on the website if the Visa Application Centre is open. VFS Global does not seek any COVID-related medical test reports for customers visiting the centre, unless specified by the country/embassy/consulate you are applying to. The shutdown will last for 21 days. On Monday 4 January, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that England would be entering a third national lockdown to try to combat the rise in cases of Covid 19. Queues long !! Hence, for detailed information and to check if this applies to you, refer to the travel advisories issued by governments on the website of the respective country/embassy/consulate, or www.vfsglobal.com (see Question 1 on how to access this information on the VFS Global website). What shops and businesses are allowed to remain open during lockdown in England? Yes, but mostly for emergencies. Click here to visit this section on the gov.uk website to access this information. To check if the country you wish to travel to is accepting visa applications, you can check the ‘COVID-19: Customer advisories’ page on www.vfsglobal.com. Getty Images. For UKVI customers please click here. VFS Global: All applications pertaining to immigration visas in South Africa are to be made via VFS Global. For this information, do check the ‘COVID-19: Customer advisories’ page, or the country-specific page on www.vfsglobal.com (to access the country-specific page, please enter the country you are applying from and the country you’re going to, in the fields provided). Wednesday 25th March 2020 will be […] VFS Global Visa Application Centres operate strictly in accordance with the directives of the central and local government authorities and the diplomatic mission of the country (i.e Embassy/Consulate) for which a visa is being applied. Unfortunately, all Dunelm stores across England, Scotland and Wales are now closed. During that time, all businesses must shut down, other than a list of those considered vital. For more detailed information, please check the country-specific page by entering the country you’re applying from and the country you’re going to, in the fields provided). LEVEL 3 – Good news - VFS / Home Affairs open for business ? Instead, the South African government has catered for all those who have expired during lockdown. The Department of Home Affairs is extending the validity period of legally issued visas which expired during the lockdown period to 31 January 2021. Some centres in some regions may continue to operate the Passport Passback service, returning processed passports to customers. Most countries have issued detailed travel advisories and have put in place border control measures, in view of the ongoing COVID-19-related developments. The safety of our customers and staff is our topmost priority. He … A reference to … However, unlike previous lockdowns, this time churches and other places of worship are permitted to stay open. In such cases, the Visa Application Centre is strictly following the instructions of the concerned diplomatic mission and cannot track your application during the assessment process within an Embassy/Consulate. Reasons you can legally leave home during lockdown … Employees across our Centres are also maintaining preventive measures such as disinfecting high-contact surfaces, body temperature screenings, use of hand sanitizers, regular hand-washing, and social distancing practices. Sex workers plead for financial assistance during lockdown Botho Molosankwe. 0 comment. Exceptions may be made for appeals. South Africa will go into a national lockdown at midnight on Thursday, 26 March, to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday night. VFS Global does not decide about the re-opening of a Visa Application Centre on its own. Nurseries delighted they can stay open during new lockdown. Accordingly, some governments mandate quarantine for citizens and residents returning from specific countries or advise self-isolation, while others have specified which categories of travellers are allowed to enter without any additional testing. Early years settings such as nurseries, alternative provision and special schools will remain open during the second lockdown. • Only applications with appointments for Wednesday 25th March will be accommodated, even if visas expire on that day or during the lockdown. The South Africa government officials are hinting about moving from lockdown level to level three under the risk adjusted strategy. Hi, As we all know, the VSF office in the Trendy Building has been closed throughout the lockdown and I cant find any useful information regarding when it might reopen. The country-specific website on www.vfsglobal.com will be updated as soon as this happens. You will be able to schedule a new appointment or reschedule an existing one (as per the process stipulated on the country-specific website page on www.vfsglobal.com), once VFS Global is directed to re-open the Visa Application Centre. Customers may also be required to wear a face mask and/or gloves. Claudio Divizia/Shutterstock. England has been plunged into another national lockdown for the third time within 10 months. However, in cases where the lockdown is lifted by local authorities, it may also be that the country you are applying to is not yet accepting visa applications. But unlike the first lockdown, the housing market is to remain open for business. BANKS remain open during England’s third national coronavirus lockdown but some branches have reduced opening hours. Coronavirus lockdown: Should golf courses be allowed to stay open? The date of reopening is to be advised; AK Pinnacle is geared to assist electronically with preparing applications during the lockdown, so that application can be submitted as soon as VFS reopens after the lockdown. Are libraries open during lockdown? Pre-scheduled appointments at UKVCAS Service Points are taking place during lockdown and applicants are able to book new appointments during the lockdown period. In some cases, even if the lockdown is lifted by local authorities, the Visa Application Centre may not yet be operational. If a decision is made on your application and the passport has been received at the Visa Application Centre, you will be notified to collect your passport as soon as the lockdown is lifted, and the Application Centre is open. Not necessarily, and this differs from country to country. This makes it possible for people to realize their rights and access benefits and opportunities in both the public and private domains. To check if the country you wish to travel to is accepting visa applications, you can check the ‘COVID-19: Customer advisories’ page on www.vfsglobal.com. Only in case of an emergency, you may write to customercare@vfsglobal.com specifying the emergency for the collection of the passport, along with the details of your application and the location of the centre you applied from. Your visa will expired or will expired during lockdown . If you wish to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please visit the country-specific website page (accessed on www.vfsglobal.com – by entering the name of the country you are applying from and the country you wish to travel to) and follow cancellation / rescheduling process as stated on the website of that particular country. – Visa Expired – Overstay – But with social distancing !! Comments Share your thoughts and debate the big issues. city/region, please select the name of the country you intend to • Applications can be made once VFS offices have reopened, and applicants whose visas have expired during that time will not be penalised or have to undergo a legalisation process. A LOCAL cleaning business says it is remaining open during the lockdown. 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