Immigration
Immigration Act permits with SACU and regional movement arrangements
The Immigration Act 17 of 1982 governs entry, residence and work permits. Eswatini is a SACU and SADC member, and movement with South Africa dominates practice. Work permits require ministerial approval on proof of unavailability of local skills.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Chief Immigration Officer decides; the High Court reviews.
- Deadline — Work permit: obtained before commencing employment; renewals before expiry
Governing law
- Immigration Act 17 of 1982
- Citizenship Act 14 of 1992
In practice
Citizenship in Eswatini has a customary dimension: khonta, the traditional allegiance-pledging process, is a recognised route to belonging and to land allocation, so status questions can turn on traditional as well as statutory criteria.