Short Term Film Industry Visa Assistance Structure

Transcription

1 Introduction Short Term Film Industry Visa Assistance Structure Before reading anything else it is important to understand that this structure only provides verification to the Department of Home Affairs in the form of a letter issued which will speed up the processing of your application, it is not an office that obtains or issues visas for your clients. The CPA, SAASP and NAMA have met with the Department of Home Affairs to resolve difficulties with the current visa application process for the advertising industry. Good headway was made and fundamental to the solution is a requirement from Home Affairs that the member companies take responsibility for the visa applicants via their Associations. In return for this there are relaxed application processes for registered companies. It is important to note that applications can be made in the normal course without using this facility so that companies wanting to bring foreign filmmakers to South Africa and who are not registered can still get the visas in the normal course. It has become incumbent on the three organizations present at the meeting to establish and fund an administrative structure that will ensure accountability of the organizations and their members. The three organizations have also proposed to the Department of Home Affairs that the facility be available to companies outside their membership. The individual companies will be able to register with the administrative structure with certain requirements that will ensure that they are accountable, traceable and have the financial means to fulfill any costs associated with a default by the individual whose application they have endorsed. To be registered, an individual company must be a member and be able to supply the following documents. Company registration documents. A tax clearance certificate Evidence of cover for Liability insurances in the amount of R5 Million Proof of address Contact details Once off registration fee of R3000.

2 The purpose of the Structure will be to: 1. Process a Letter of Authority (LOA) that is required to give the applicant s visiting filmmaker access to the reduced submission requirements for their visa applications. 2. Provide a platform for ongoing discussions with the Department of Home Affairs to address and additional issues that may arise, problems with implementation of the system and looking for ways to refine the process. The Letter of Authority. The LOA will inform the customs officials at the Point of Entry to SA or the employees at the foreign Mission that the applicant is endorsed as being legitimate and identify the type of visa for which he / she is applying. The proposed structure will work as follows: Once registered with the Structure the production company (Commercial production and stills) or model agency wanting to have a "visa with work authorization" issued to their client applicants will submit to the Structure the application form (an example is provided) and supporting documentation. The Structure will check the details of the applicant company to see they are registered and then the application itself for accuracy. If all is correct an LOA will be generated by the Structure, a signature applied and then a PDF version returned to the applicant. Supporting Documentation Required: Copy of the applicants Passport The LOA will then be logged in the Structure s system as well as the signed copy being sent back to the applicant company so that they can forward it to the traveler to be used with the appropriate visa application. The Structure will not send the LOA directly to the Applicant.

3 Types of letters issued: Oversight Traveler authorization Letter The Oversight traveler would include the following applicants: All clients, agency and production management & agency creative personnel, excludes Director, D.O.P, Stills Photographer and first A.D unfortunately. Oversight Travelers from Visa exempt Countries: These travelers can proceed directly to a port of entry and apply at the port official for an s11(1)(a) visitors visa if they have been issued with a letter from this structure: Visa only valid for 90 days and cannot be extended (but can be issued multiple times) if the traveler wishes to stay longer than 90 days they need to apply for the s11(1)(b)(iv) work authorization as a specialist traveler. Documents required: Duly completed and signed DHA 84 form Flight itinerary Yellow fever certificate where applicable Letter of authorization from this structure Oversight Travelers from Visa non exempt Countries: There travelers need to present at their local South African embassy and apply for an s11(1)(a) visitors visa Visa only valid for 90 days and cannot be extended (but can be issued multiple times) if the traveler wishes to stay longer than 90 days they need to apply for the s11(1)(b)(iv) work authorization as a specialist traveler. Documents required: Duly completed and signed DHA 84 form Flight itinerary Yellow fever certificate where applicable Letter of authorization from this structure

4 Specialist Traveler Authorization Letter: The Specialist Traveler will include the following applicants: All International crew not in an oversight position, this includes but is not limited to: Director, D.O.P, Assistant Directors, Photographers, All actors, models, technicians, art department & special effects personnel All specialist personnel need to appear in person at their local South African Embassy, or if the specific Embassy allows it apply via post or remotely. There are two possible visas these travelers can apply for: 1. S11(2) work Authorization (less than 90 days) Requirements: Duly completed and signed DHA84 form Flight Itinerary confirmed reservations Yellow fever where applicable Letter of Authorization from this structure Processing time 5 working days 2. S11(1)(b)(iv) <90 days> 3 years Requirements: Duly completed and signed DHA 84 form Flight Itinerary confirmed reservations Yellow fever where applicable Medical and Radiological Report Police Clearance Letter of Authorization from this structure Processing time 5 working days

5 Administration fees for all letters issued: There is a cost of R100 excl. V.A.T. per letter issued, your company will be invoiced as soon as your applications are received and authorization letters will only be issued once we receive proof of payment. Please make all invoices payable to: Name: Bank: CPA Trust Standard Bank Branch: Hyde Park Account: Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Do I need to be a member of the CPA, SAASP or NAMA in order to be assisted? A: No, but if you are not a member you would need to apply to register with the structure because we would need to verify that your company is trustworthy, legitimate and in good financial standing. To be registered, an individual company must be a member and be able to supply the following documents. Company registration documents. A tax clearance certificate Evidence of cover for Liability insurances (R5 million minimum) Proof of address Contact details Registration fee of R3000. Q: Are the letters checked? A: Each letter has a tracking number on it as well as other security features, there will always be one person on 24 hour call in our office in the event that a port official or embassy needs to verify the information on the letter. If the information on your letter and the information we have on file do not match your client will be deported if already at a port of entry or they will be refused a visa if applying at an embassy. In addition your company would be liable for any deportation costs, your client could be labeled as undesirable and your company could be blacklisted by the Department of Home Affairs. This office will also be forced to blacklist your company from receiving any future letters of authorization.

6 Q: Why is there a fee attached to applying? A: This structure will issue upwards of 6000 letters annually, the administration of this office including permanent staff and office costs are completely funded by the administration fee. Q: What is the difference between an Oversight and Specialist Traveler? A: Oversight Traveler all personnel in an oversight capacity (client, agency, international production) Specialist Traveler everyone else i.e director, 1 st A.D., photographer, models, stylist etc.