NEW HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER DR LEON SCHREIBER EXTENDS THE TEMPORARY VISA CONCESSION TO SAFEGUARD APPLICANTS FROM ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES CAUSED BY PROCESSING DELAYS.

Foreign nationals who have applied for long-term visas (including Spousal, Relative’s, Work and Business visas), and whose applications are still pending as at 30 June 2024, are granted a further temporary extension until 31 December 2024. Applicants who need to travel, but are awaiting the outcome of their long term visa applications, will be allowed […]

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MAY 2024 – UPDATE ON VISA BACKLOG AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is grappling with a significant visa backlog, now exceeding 92,000 applications. The DHA has been overwhelmed, leading to delays that affect various visa categories, particularly family orientated visa applications. Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, detailed the backlog and the several visa categories that are causing the hold up […]

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2024 – UPDATE ON BACKLOG IN PROCESSING OF VISA AND PERMANENT RESIDENCE APPLICATIONS

A recently leaked memo originating from the state attorney’s office and addressed to the Department of Home Affairs, sheds light on the concerning state of the Department’s visa backlog.  The backlog has surged to an alarming figure of more than 95 000 pending applications. The memo underscores potential repercussions of this backlog, as highlighted by […]

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CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGMENT REGARDING VISAS FOR FOREIGN NATIONAL PARENTS WITH SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDREN

On 4 December 2023 the Constitution Court ruled that the Immigration Act was inconsistent with the Constitution and that it infringed on foreign national parents of South African children’s right to human dignity. The Judgment goes further to rule that a foreign national parent of a South African child should be allowed to work in […]

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NEW DIRECTIVES REGARDING EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF ZEP AND LEP PERMITS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS

On 4 November 2023 the Department of Home Affairs have published new directives regarding the extension of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits and Lesotho Exemption Permits outlining certain exemptions granted to holders of such permits. Please click here for more information regarding the extension of LEP permits. Please click here for more information regarding the extension of […]

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