Revised White Paper on Citizenship and Immigration Published for Comment

Posted 12 December 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Home Affairs

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Home Affairs has issued a revised draft White Paper proposing a comprehensive overhaul of South Africa’s citizenship, immigration, and refugee protection frameworks.

In terms of the South African Citizenship Act, No. 88 of 1995, the Immigration Act, No. 13 of 2002, and the Refugees Act, No. 130 of 1998, the Department of Home Affairs has gazetted a draft revised White Paper for public consultation. While the initial deadline for input was 31 January 2026, a notice gazetted on 14 January 2026 formally extended the deadline for submissions to 15 February 2026.

The revised draft follows an earlier version released in November 2023. On 30 April 2026, the department issued a media statement clarifying that a reference list included in the draft was withdrawn due to the detection of AI ‘hallucinations’. However, the department confirmed that the substantive body of the draft accurately reflects the government’s position on required policy reforms.

Key Policy Objectives

The draft revised White Paper is underpinned by Government of National Unity (GNU) priorities and the department’s digital transformation agenda. The overarching objectives include:

  • Integrating the three separate legal frameworks governing citizenship, immigration, and refugees into a single, cohesive policy environment;
  • Incorporating the recommendations of the Operation Vulindlela visa review to streamline economic migration;
  • Modernising border and migration management through digital systems; and
  • Aligning refugee protection protocols with international obligations while addressing domestic security and administrative concerns.

Click here to download the notice extending the deadline to 15 February 2026.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; impact is channelled through future legislative amendments that will alter how citizenship and residency applications are processed.
  • For your business: Firms specialising in immigration law or human resources must review the proposed integration of the three Acts to prepare for significant procedural shifts in work visa and corporate permit applications.
  • For your clients: Corporate clients employing foreign nationals or seeking critical skills visas should monitor the transition toward the Operation Vulindlela recommendations, which aim to reduce administrative bottlenecks in the visa adjudication process.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/citizenship-immigration-refugee-protection-revised-white-paper-out-for-comment

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