Over 2,000 Fraudulently Issued Study Visas to Be Cancelled, Says Home Affairs
More than 2,000 study visas issued through internal fraud syndicates are set to be cancelled, according to Leon Schreiber, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs.
Speaking on Monday, Schreiber confirmed that the Department of Home Affairs had identified thousands of study visas that were unlawfully approved by officials operating within internal syndicates.
“Administrative processes are now underway to cancel these visas,” he said, adding that any subsequent visas obtained by the same individuals would also be ringfenced to ensure that all irregularly obtained documents are withdrawn. Those involved may face deportation or prosecution.
The investigation forms part of a broader probe into maladministration in visa processing, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation 154 of 2024. The investigation covers visa issuances between October 2004 and February 2024.
Schreiber said findings revealed that a small group of officials exploited loopholes in manual visa processing systems to facilitate fraudulent approvals.
Earlier, acting head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Leonard Lekgetho, described the immigration system as having been treated “like a marketplace” where permits and visas were sold to the highest bidder.
The SIU previously disclosed that officials earning less than R25,000 per month allegedly received millions of rand in deposits linked to visa approvals. Financial benefits exceeding R181 million were traced to individuals connected to fraudulent applications.
Authorities say the visa cancellations form part of efforts to restore integrity to South Africa’s immigration system.
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