South Africa opens its doors to talent: new STAGES visa for film and creative industries

In South Africa, the launch of the innovative visa program STAGES — Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme was announced. The goal is simple, but ambitious: to attract global professionals in the film and creative industries by accelerating the visa process to unprecedented scales. It can be said that now the path to filming in Cape Town or Johannesburg will become much easier if you really know how to make films.

This scheme is built on a principle of trust, known from the 'Trusted Employer' and 'Trusted Tour Operator' programs. Candidates who meet strict requirements will be able to use expedited secure visa processing. In other words, paperwork is a thing of the past, and decisions on applications are made literally within a day — thanks to the specially created STAGES management group.

Participation in the program depends on experience, economic impact, and meticulous compliance with the law. This is not just a visa program — it is a signal to the world that South Africa is ready to open up to professionals ready to create quality content. Essentially, it is a chance to become part of a new page in the country's film industry, where administrative barriers will no longer hinder the creative process.