Quality assurance failure followed by poor customer service

<p>Critical S****s Visa Renewal at Johannesburg VFS Office. As with all VFS submissions, all documents are screened by quality assurance officer and again at the submissions window. Then it is sent to DHA. Two weeks later, DHA declined my renewal stating, "employment verification documents not provided." Verification was provided!! It was confirmed by both VFS QA and Submissions officers (and they use a checklist to ensure they verify this). </p> <p>Problem 1: By way of my Visa rejection, DHA is stating VFS did not fulfull their role by permitting my application through. But VFS refuses responsibility and only tells me to appeal this decision, currently taking 8-10 MONTHS as per VFS website. </p> <p>Problem 2: VFS call center representative suggested I just do a new renewal application as they are being processed faster than appeals. When I asked DHA call center about this, they raised their voice at me accusing me of trying to circumvent the system and that they would reject me on the basis of recent rejection. </p> <p>Problem 3: VFS representative who handled my biometrics stated I AM permitted to overstay my current Visa (expires in late April) because I have an appeal in process. However recent immigration changes suggest I would be marked as an undesireable if I overstay and I would be banned from South Africa! Terrible, potentially fatal information from VFS! </p> <p> </p> <p>I believe this is actually just a small oversight between VFS and DHA with respect to the employment verification. It was in the file and I re-submitted it with my appeal. While VFS could easily resolve this in a five minute call with DHA, instead VFS (up to this point) isn't taking responsibility; and more critically is providing advice contrary to DHA laws, setting the stage for HUGE immigrations problems in months ahead. </p>