Latest updates in global
immigration

This week, the SSW Global Immigration team would like to highlight the following updates from Nigeria, South Africa and Canada.

Nigeria: New guidance on expatriate quota requirements

The government of Nigeria has published new guidance for companies on expatriate quota requirements.  The key points are as follows:

  • All companies with Permanent Until Review (PUR) status must submit clear copies of their Letter of Approval by 28 February 2022.
  • All companies with Expatriate Quota Positions are required to submit monthly returns on the utilization of all approved quota positions via this website. They must ensure that all their expatriates and Nigerian understudies have obtained a National Identification Number and that this is reflected in the monthly returns.
  • All companies using the services of the Ministry of Interior must update their contact details by submitting a formal letter introducing their representative (full-time employee or consultant) to the Office of the Director (Citizenship and Business Department).

South Africa: Updates to the Critical Skills List

South Africa’s Department for Home Affairs (DHA) has published an updated Critical Skills List, along with guidance for the implementation of the list.

This is the first update to the list since 2014. Only applicants for positions on the list are eligible to apply for a Critical Skills visa. The government will still consider applications that were submitted before the new list was published.

The DHA will no longer issue a 12-month work visa to applicants who do not have an offer of employment.

New categories have been added to the list, including:

  • Director (Enterprise organisation, medium or larger)
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Multimedia Designer
  • Tax Professional
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Policy Analyst
  • Corporate Treasurer
  • Internal Auditor
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Economist

The minimum qualification requirements have also been updated for several positions.

Canada: Immigration Levels Plan 2022 – 2024

On 14 February 2022, the Canadian government is set to announce its Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024. Today’s announcement will be the first Immigration Levels Plan since October 2020.

The Immigration Levels Plan guides Canada’s immigration system and will outline the number of migrants Canada will seek to welcome under its various programmes. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will then use the plan to adjust their operations to ensure Canada can attract and retain the targeted levels of newcomers set to arrive.

It is expected that Canada’s immigration targets will remain extremely high, as the country increasingly relies on skilled newcomers to ensure long-term economic growth amid an aging population and a declining birth rate.

Last year, Canada successfully admitted over 400,000 new permanent residents despite the challenges arising from the pandemic. However, immigration officials have indicated that in 2022 the country may be accepting fewer high-skilled workers through Express Entry than in recent years while the immigration authorities work through the backlog of previously submitted applications.

Expert advice on global immigration

If you need support with any aspect of worldwide immigration, Smith Stone Walters is here to help.

To speak to a member of our Global Immigration team, please contact us today.

Share story
Back to top of page