The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has launched the Business Visa Recommendation System (VRS), an online platform for business visa recommendation applications for all foreign business owners applying for first, extension and/or permanent residence recommendations.

It aims to provide an effective, transparent and user-friendly application process.

With the VRS, applicants can now submit business visa for first, extension and permanent recommendations applications digitally.

Required supporting documents can be uploaded directly to the system; applicants can monitor the progress of their applications; and updates and final recommendations will be communicated through the system.

The main aim of the system is to enhance efficiency for business visa applicants, dtic investment and spacial industrial development acting deputy director-general Yunus Hoosen says.

He mentions faster processing, convenience and transparency as some of the benefits of the VRS.

“The VRS replaces the email application process with a digital platform, improving efficiency and accessibility for global investors looking to reside in South Africa for the purpose of establishing, expanding and or investing in businesses.

“This initiative is part of inclusive and sustainable industrial development’s ongoing efforts to reduce red tape and simplify the ease of doing business in South Africa,” Hoosen explains.

“From an administrative viewpoint, the VRS is a solution for collecting, managing, and reviewing applications online.

“In addition, it eliminates incomplete applications from being submitted, provides monitoring of applications received and finalised and provides investment-related information needed for reporting and planning amongst others,” he adds.

Hoosen says the VRS is aligned with South Africa’s broader e-governance initiatives, which seek to improve accessibility to government services through digital transformation.

The VRS is also part of modernising the country’s investment facilitation framework.