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New Digital Visa Schemes for Film and Events Industries

STATEMENT BY THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ALDERMAN JAMES VOS:

The announcement by the Department of Home Affairs on the launch of two digital visa categories aimed at events and film production companies is a major step forward for economic growth.

The first initiative, called STAGES – short for Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme – will use digitisation to simplify visa access for film production companies. This will be a game-changer for Cape Town and South Africa’s film industry, opening the door to more productions, investment, and, importantly, job opportunities.

The second programme is the Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme (MEETS), which will enable international attendees at conferences, exhibitions, and global events to apply for visas entirely online. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber further confirmed that the process will offer rapid turnaround times.

This announcement comes at the perfect time for Cape Town, which is fast becoming a premier hub for global meetings, conferences, and events. In the 2024/25 financial year alone, the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau – powered by Wesgro and supported by the City – secured 36 new bids. These are projected to generate an economic impact of R745 million and attract around 27 230 delegates to the city through to 2028.

As part of our continued drive to build a thriving visitor economy, I am currently consulting stakeholders across the tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors to shape a bold new tourism strategy for Cape Town. This strategy will focus on key levers such as boosting international arrivals, driving volume, and creating economic spin-offs that benefit local communities. Tourism is a powerful job creator and a key economic enabler, and we are determined to unlock its full potential.

These digital visa schemes will be vital tools in that mission. They not only signal a more responsive and modern approach from national government but will also help to drive economic activity and, most importantly, create thousands of jobs for our people.

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