briefing the portfolio committee on home affairs: vfs challenges and recommendations 21 april 2015 1
TRANSCRIPT
BRIEFING THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS: VFS CHALLENGES AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
21 April 2015
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CONTENTS
Purpose of the Presentation
Background
VFS Process Flow
Challenges upon VFS inception
Impact of VFS Partnering with DHA
Key Recommendations
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PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION
• To provide feedback about Challenges and Recommendations on VFS application Processes
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RATIONALE FOR BUSINESS PARTNERING WITH VFS
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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
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VISA & PERMIT FACILITATION CENTRE
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VFS BUSINESS SOLUTION – Web-based Application Solution
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VIDEO STREAMINGDHA/VFS APPLICATION PROCESS
Impact of VFS Partnership
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Reduced turn-around times and attainment of annual target of 62%
Challenges upon VFS inception
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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
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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
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