SA government hopes the visa reform will prevent the kind of red-tape fiasco that saw the country lose a R400 million Netflix production earlier this year.
South Africa is rolling out a new digital visa system to make it easier for international film and entertainment companies to shoot locally – a long-awaited move following years of complaints about bureaucratic delays.
The Department of Home Affairs this week announced the launch of the Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES), a first-of-its-kind digital platform designed to process film-related visas in as little as 24 hours.
The vision for the initiative was first outlined by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, earlier this year and is now coming to fruition.
What is the ‘STAGES’ visa scheme?
The new visa system replaces the old, paper-heavy process that often forced production companies to wait weeks or even months for approval.
In one high-profile case, delays reportedly caused a major Netflix production worth R400 million to relocate – a costly blow to South Africa’s creative economy.
“A major Netflix production from Mexico was lost to visa delays, costing South Africa an estimated R400 million in lost income,” Schreiber noted during his Budget Vote speech in July.
The Home Affairs Minister said STAGES was part of the Department’s broader drive to become an “economic enabler” rather than an obstacle to growth.
“The introduction of STAGES is the latest exciting step in our digital transformation journey,” Schreiber said in a statement on Thursday.
“The creative industry is the latest sector to experience the benefits of our commitment to reform, as the rollout of STAGES coincides with other successful reforms that include the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) and the ongoing rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).”
What is the next step for production companies?
Under STAGES, international film companies with a proven track record are invited to submit expressions of interest.
A dedicated adjudication team will oversee applications, manage communication, and ensure predictable turnaround times.
The move has been widely welcomed by the local film sector, which has long argued that red tape undermines South Africa’s competitiveness.
“My message to the global creative industry is simple: we know you have always wanted to film your productions in South Africa, the most beautiful country in the world that is already equipped with the infrastructure required for creative production,” Schreiber added.
“The time has now finally come to turn that ambition into reality.”
