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Foreign firms race to open Saudi offices before deadline
A wave of ribbon-cutting ceremonies is sweeping the Saudi capital as multinationals face a January deadline to open regional headquarters in the Gulf kingdom or lose out on government contracts.
In what has become a common scene, executives in suits and Saudi officials in white robes gather to inaugurate the new offices, sipping Arabic coffee in a haze of incense smoke while singing the praises of last year`s fastest-growing G20 economy.
Announced in February 2021, Saudi Arabia`s regional headquarters (RHQ) programme is widely seen as a bid to compete with Dubai in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates, a favourite base for global firms with business in the Middle East.
Despite complaints from some executives that there remains a lack of clarity on key details of the Saudi programme, the January 1 deadline is holding, the Saudi investment ministry told AFP in a written response to questions.
`Multinational companies that are part of the RHQ Program will be well positioned to bid for projects funded by the Saudi Government,` it said.
`Only multinational companies with regional headquarters in the Kingdom will be eligible for tenders and contracts floated by government entities.`
So far, 162 regional headquarters licenses have been granted in sectors including pharmaceuticals, IT and construction, `with many others being processed`, the ministry said.
The big question, analysts say, is whether participating firms are merely ticking a box to retain access to Saudi funds or genuinely embracing the government`s vision of Saudi Arabia as the centre of the region.
The programme is `an early litmus test of the degree to which foreign businesses are prepared or willing to comply with and buy into Saudi initiatives, or whether they will seek workarounds that see them retain the majority of staff in the UAE and delegate a select few to Saudi,` said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University`s Baker Institute.
It should also offer clues about the implementation of flagship projects such as a new airline and airport, and the $500 billion (about R9.2 trillion), futuristic mega-city known as NEOM, Ulrichsen said.
`Jumping through hurdles`
Riyadh defines a regional headquarters as an office that provides `strategic direction, management, and support services for company subsidiaries, branches, and affiliates in the (Middle East and North Africa) region`, the investment ministry said.
One firm, IHG Hotels & Resorts, placed its new office on the 12th floor of a skyscraper in the capital`s financial district, staffing it with 25 employees from departments including revenue management, sales, marketing, design and engineering.
IHG has been present in Saudi Arabia for nearly 50 years, actively bids for government projects including developments along the Red Sea Coast and plans to open 20 hotels across the kingdom in 2024 and 2025, Haitham Mattar, managing director for the Middle East and Southwest Asia, said during the office`s ribbon-cutting ceremony in October.
But the company also has offices in Dubai and elsewhere in the region, and `we will continue with those offices`, Mattar told AFP.
As for the process of establishing a Saudi regional headquarters, he acknowledged there were some kinks to work out.
`It took us a bit of time and jumping through hurdles to achieve our licence for this office. However we are there now which is great and that`s what we`re happy and positive about,` he said.
`This is all new to Saudi Arabia, right? So we have to really be conscious of that. There`s a lot of trial-and-error, there`s a lot of perfecting some of the processes, and sometimes some of the processes have maybe one too many steps.`
`Ambitious` targets
The investment ministry has touted benefits for firms setting up regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, including the ability to apply for unlimited work visas and a 10-year waiver on quotas for hiring Saudi nationals.
But it has not specified what kind of tax relief the firms might receive, a major question for executives.
Laurent Germain, CEO of French construction engineering firm Egis Group, nevertheless told AFP he had no regrets about establishing a regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia last year, and that he advised other French firms to do the same.
`We`ve come into a situation where now it is in Saudi Arabia that we have the most activities in the Middle East, and probably so for the next 10 years. It was a natural step,` he said.
Germain added that he did not necessarily see the regional headquarters programme in the context of a budding Riyadh-Dubai rivalry, but rather as a broader bid to hit `very ambitious` foreign investment objectives.
`They are taking all the measures they can to increase the attractiveness of the kingdom,` he said.
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Govt responds to passport rushGovt responds to passport rush
GOVERNMENT has extended operating hours at the Civil Registry Department after its offices were flooded with desperate Zimbabweans applying for passports. Snaking queues have emerged at the Civil Registry Department offices countrywide after Finance minister Mthuli Ncube proposed an increase in passport fees beginning next month. Ncube said he would increase fees for an ordinary passport from US$120 to US$200, while an emergency travel document will be priced at US$300 up from US$200. V.5108
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06. Dec. 2023 BBC NewsCouples `devastated` by migration visa rule changes
Scientists Josie and Joan Ferrer Obiol says their dream of returning to the UK has been turned upside down Couples planning a new life in the UK have been left heartbroken by changes restricting who can apply to live here. From April 2024, British citizens or people already settled in the UK will need to show they earn £38,700 before their overseas partner can live here with them - a sharp jump from the current threshold of £18,600. They also still need to show they are in a marriage or civil partnership when they apply for a family visa, intend to be within six months, or that they have been living together for at least two years. V.5109
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06. Dec. 2023 SABCSouth Africa is first African country added to Saudi Arabia’s e-visa
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05. Dec. 2023 France24UK announces limits on regular migration as it tries to turn polls around
London (AFP) Britain`s embattled Conservative government unveiled a raft of measures Monday aimed at cracking down on record levels of migration a key battleground in a general election expected next year. Home Secretary James Cleverly unveiled proposals to cut regular migration. The UK announced it would raise the minimum salary threshold for a skilled worker visa and prevent overseas health and social care staff from bringing family dependents to Britain. V.5106
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05. Dec. 2023 News24Foreign parents: Constitutional Court declares parts of Immigration Act unconstitutional
The Constitutional Court has ruled that parts of the Immigration Act are unconstitutional. • The Constitutional Court has declared sections of the Immigration Act invalid and unconstitutional as they discriminate against foreign divorced and separated parents. • According to the act, a foreigner on a spousal visa must leave the country when their relationship with a South African ends, even if they have children together. • The court gave Parliament 24 months to make the necessary amendments to the act, so it is consistent with the Constitution. V.5107
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04. Dec. 2023 Pro Bono & Human RightsThe right to apply for asylum in South Africa
The Constitutional Court (CC) recently handed down an important judgment which speaks to the right to apply for asylum in South Africa. Over the past several years, we have seen more and more anti-foreign national rhetoric in the public domain, with even high-ranking government officials contributing to the narrative that foreign nationals are the cause of many of South Africa’s issues. This has resulted in a continuingly shrinking safe space for foreign nationals who intend on seeking refuge in the country. Given our current socio-political climate, this judgment comes at a critical time where the rights of vulnerable people must be protected, in line with our international and domestic obligations. At a glance. V.5100
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04. Dec. 2023 News24Sting operation prevents 443 Zimbabwean children being trafficked into South Africa, says home affairs
42 buses from Zimbabwe were stopped and searched at the Beitbridge border post. • On Saturday evening, 42 buses from Zimbabwe were stopped and searched at the Beitbridge border post. • According to home affairs, 443 unaccompanied minor children were found on the buses. • It is alleged that the children were being trafficked into South Africa. The Border Management Authority (BMA) at the Beitbridge border post has stopped more than 40 buses carrying about 440 unaccompanied children, who were allegedly being trafficked into South Africa. V.5101
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04. Dec. 2023 News24Sting operation prevents 443 Zimbabwean children being trafficked into South Africa, says home affairs
42 buses from Zimbabwe were stopped and searched at the Beitbridge border post. • On Saturday evening, 42 buses from Zimbabwe were stopped and searched at the Beitbridge border post. • According to home affairs, 443 unaccompanied minor children were found on the buses. • It is alleged that the children were being trafficked into South Africa. The Border Management Authority (BMA) at the Beitbridge border post has stopped more than 40 buses carrying about 440 unaccompanied children, who were allegedly being trafficked into South Africa. V.5102
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04. Dec. 2023 News24Sting operation prevents 443 Zimbabwean children being trafficked into South Africa, says home affairs
42 buses from Zimbabwe were stopped and searched at the Beitbridge border post. • On Saturday evening, 42 buses from Zimbabwe were stopped and searched at the Beitbridge border post. • According to home affairs, 443 unaccompanied minor children were found on the buses. • It is alleged that the children were being trafficked into South Africa. V.5103
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04. Dec. 2023 Immigration TorontoExploring Canada`s rental cost, Most and least expensive cities
Each year, Canada attracts numerous international students who enter the country by obtaining study visas and permits. These students are required to adhere to specific conditions throughout their academic journey. One crucial aspect that international students often consider is Canada’s rental cost. One major issue affecting international students’ entire experience in Canada is the expense of renting. It is crucial that they comprehend and budget for the costs related to housing while they are studying in the nation. Furthermore, international students looking for accommodation in Canada may make better decisions if they are aware of the rental circumstances and market trends. V.5104
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04. Dec. 2023 SA MigrationProtection of asylum seekers and of children facing lifelong statelessness highlighted in two significant South African decisions, case note extracts
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29. Nov. 2023 Global MigrationLatest updates in global immigration
This week, the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following recent updates from Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Israel, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. Australia: Start date set for permanent residence changes The Department of Home Affairs has set a start date of 25 November 2023 (subject to the approval of regulation changes) for its previously announced changes to the employer-sponsored permanent residence programme. From that date, all Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa holders will be able to access permanent residence via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa. V.5098
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29. Nov. 2023 Associated Australian PressHome affairs boss Pezzullo sacked after leaked texts
Mike Pezzullo has been sacked as head of the home affairs department after a code of conduct breach finding. Mr Pezzullo was stood down after leaked messages revealed the secretary repeatedly inserted himself into the political process. The governor-general in council terminated his appointment on Monday. The texts revealed he lobbied for his department and pushed his personal views, in breach of public service standards, across a five-year period. It is not suggested the messages show corrupt or illegal conduct. Home Affairs Minister Clare O`Neil referred the matter to the Australian Public Service Commissioner after concerns were raised following media reporting of the messages. V.5099
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28. Nov. 2023 Associated Australian PressHome affairs boss Pezzullo sacked after leaked texts
Mike Pezzullo has been sacked as head of the home affairs department after a code of conduct breach finding. Mr Pezzullo was stood down after leaked messages revealed the secretary repeatedly inserted himself into the political process. The governor-general in council terminated his appointment on Monday. The texts revealed he lobbied for his department and pushed his personal views, in breach of public service standards, across a five-year period. It is not suggested the messages show corrupt or illegal conduct. V.5097
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27. Nov. 2023 Digital JourneyIndia Provides Enhanced Online Visa Access to Citizens of South Africa, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Bulgaria
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23. Nov. 2023 The SowetanSham doctor case leads police to fake identity syndicate within home affairs
The NPA is waitng on Interpol results on Kingsley Chele`s identity verification. More than 370 fraudulent documents issued by public servants An investigation into the two identity documents belonging to bogus doctor Kingsley Leeto Chele led to police cracking an alleged syndicate involving home affairs officials who are accused of selling documents to illegal immigrants. A source close to the investigations has revealed how the syndicate had issued over 370 fraudulent documents and had been charging more than R2,000 per applicant. V.5092
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23. Nov. 2023 News24How much does a tourist visa cost for the UK, USA, Australia, and most Schengen Zone countries?
The visa application process in South Africa includes a load of paperwork, appointments made way in advance and a heavy fee. Getty Images • South Africa has one of the world`s `weakest` passports. • This means we often need to buy pricey visas to visit foreign countries. • Here`s how much you`ll pay for several popular tourist visas and how long they take to process. V.5093
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23. Nov. 2023 iolCape Town woman allowed to emigrate with her two children to live in Dubai with US fiancé
relocate to Dubai with her children where they will be living with her American fiancé. The woman was married and got divorced from the father of her children in January 2016. The children were eight and three when their parents divorced. At the time of the divorce, both parties lived in Durban. In March 2019, the woman relocated with the children to Cape Town. The father would visit the children and sometimes they would visit him. In 2020, she started dating GJ, an American citizen. She said for almost two years, they have been living together with GJ as a family. V.5094
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23. Nov. 2023 BusinesstechReverse emigration twist for South Africa
Although many wealthy South Africans are packing their bags for the UK, new migration data shows that the inverse is also true. The latest Wealth Migration Report 2023 from Henley & Partners and New World Wealth shows that around 400 High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) those with a net worth of over US$1 million (roughly R18 million) emigrated out of South Africa in 2022 with a further 500 leaving the country in 2023. The UK is an emigration hotspot for South Africans with the 2021 UK census noting that over 215,000 South Africans live on the island. V.5095
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22. Nov. 2023 Human Rights WatchSouth Africa Mulls Major Immigration Overhaul
Migration may be an increasingly contentious issue in South Africa, but that does not justify taking an axe to refugee rights and chipping away at the country’s commitments under the United Nations’ 1951 Refugee Convention, as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) recently proposed alongside other immigration reforms. V.5088
