South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs has announced an extension for visa and permit holders whose documents expired at the end of March, citing delays in processing applications.
The new deadline for these individuals is now 30th September, offering temporary relief to thousands of foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, who are still awaiting the completion of their immigration applications.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber, under Immigration Directive Number 4 of 2025.
This directive provides a temporary concession for foreign nationals impacted by delays in processing visa appeals and manual applications.
This extension is especially important for holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP), who have been uncertain about their legal status in South Africa.
The ZEP system, introduced in 2017, replaced earlier permits like the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) and the Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project (DZP), which had been in place since 2009.
The ZEP was designed to regularize the status of Zimbabweans living in South Africa, and around 178,000 Zimbabweans were eligible for the new exemption permits, which are set to expire in November.
However, due to processing delays, including issues with printing and appeals, many individuals have been left in limbo regarding their status.
Dr. Schreiber explained that despite efforts to address the backlog, numerous visa applications remain unprocessed due to delays in the printing and administrative processes.
“The Department of Home Affairs has been working to clear the backlog since issuing Immigration Directive No. 16 of 2024. However, many applications will not be ready before the previous deadline of 31st March 2025,” he said.
The extension gives the Department of Home Affairs more time to process these applications and allows applicants the chance to finalize their immigration status.
Visa holders waiting for their waiver applications can also travel in and out of South Africa without being deemed undesirable until 30th September 2025.
Dr. Schreiber clarified that the extension applies to long-term visa applicants, but they must still comply with the conditions of their visas.
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However, the concession does not apply to those awaiting the outcome of permanent residence applications. These individuals must ensure their stay is valid while waiting for final approval.
The extension is only applicable to foreign nationals who have legally entered South Africa and submitted their applications through VFS Global, and they must be able to provide a receipt for their applications through the VFS tracking system.
This temporary relief offers hope to many Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals facing uncertainty in South Africa due to administrative delays.
However, the future for Zimbabweans in South Africa remains uncertain, particularly as South Africa plans to phase out exemption permits. The Zimbabwean government has previously urged its citizens to regularize their stay or prepare for repatriation.
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