BRIEFING THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS: VFS CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS 21 April

CONTENTS  Purpose of the Presentation  Background  VFS Process Flow  Challenges upon VFS inception  Impact of VFS Partnering with DHA  Key Recommendations 2

PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION To provide feedback about Challenges and Recommendations on VFS application Processes 3

RATIONALE FOR BUSINESS PARTNERING WITH VFS 4  Swift intervention in managing applications Paperless environment leading to automation of processes Bringing-in efficiencies Improve security through taking biometrics and photographs of clients Deploy the necessary infrastructure at no cost to the state (offices, staff and technology) Address capacity challenges through innovative business partnering Address Auditor-General’s issues – performance audit and lack of files Put South Africa in a better position to compete for skilled migrants – cut turn around times  New Immigration Amended Act, 2011 Personal appearance by clients in lodging applications and collecting outcomes DHA being able to take biometrics of applicants as part of a security measure DHA offices are not ready for clients to personally present themselves There is a need to establish centres suited for clients, including VIP facilities  Cost Benefit Analysis All set-up costs are borne by the service provider, therefore no financial implications to DHA The service provider collects revenue due to the State & provide daily reconciliation Less administration burden on DHA side as the service provider is doing daily reconciliation DHA and the service provider agreed on a handling fee charged to clients (R1350)

VFS STANDARD FLOOR PLAN 5

VISA & PERMIT FACILITATION CENTRE 6

VFS BUSINESS SOLUTION – Web-based Application Solution 7

8 VIDEO STREAMING DHA/VFS APPLICATION PROCESS

Impact of VFS Partnership 9  Reduced turn-around times and attainment of annual target of 62%

Challenges upon VFS inception 10  Designing of DHA Visa Adjudication System (VAS)  Data interface between VAS and VFS  Switching from manual to electronic adjudication (Change management)  Client not used to electronic lodging of applications  VFS system adaptability and resilience to high volumes of applications  Over crowding in centres like Brooklyn (Pretoria) and Rivonia (Johannesburg)  Access to VFS services in East Asia  Abuse of the VFS Appointment System

Recommendations 11  Designing an End-to-End Application and Adjudication System  Continued monitoring of agreed data transfer protocol between DHA and VFS  Consolidate positive impact of change management programme  Establishment of VFS accredited business kiosks  Weekly VFS and DHA Steerco to monitor performance and intervene decisively  Opening of new VFS centres in Gauteng Province  Rollout of additional VFS centres in China and India  Reform of the VFS Appointment System to combat abuse

Thank you 12