The Department of Home Affairs has published Immigration Circular No 30 of 2025 on 2 December 2025, announcing turnaround times for visa and permit-related applications in South Africa. The circular introduces formally defined turnaround times for temporary residence, permanent residence, waiver and exemption applications, as well as appeals and rectification applications, marking a step toward […]
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JANUARY 2026 – DRAFT REVISED WHITE PAPER ON CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION
On 25 December 2025, the Department of Home Affairs published the Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection (Government Gazette No. 53853). This document outlines the Department’s proposed changes to South Africa’s citizenship, immigration and refugee protection systems and provides insight into how the relevant laws and processes may change at some […]
Read more...OCTOBER 2025 – EXTENSION OF ZEP VALIDITY GRANTED UNTIL 28 MAY 2027
With the issuanceof Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025, Minister Dr L. A. Schreiber has further extended the validity of Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) in terms of Section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act, 2002. 1. Validity ExtensionAll Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) will now remain valid up until 28 MAY 2027. 2. Protection from Deportation or RemovalNo ZEP holder may be arrested, ordered to depart, […]
Read more...OCTOBER 2025 – EXTENSION OF LEP VALIDITY GRANTED UNTIL 28 MAY 2027
With the issuance of Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025, Minister Dr L. A. Schreiber has further extended the validity of Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) in terms of Section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act, 2002. 1. Validity ExtensionAll Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEPs) will now remain valid up until 28 MAY 2027. 2. Protection from Deportation or RemovalNo LEP holder may be arrested, ordered to […]
Read more...OCTOBER 2025 – MINISTER EXTENDS TEMPORARY IMMIGRATION CONCESSION TO 31 MARCH 2026
The Department of Home Affairs has issued an extension to Immigration Directive No. 22 of 2025, extending temporary concessions for foreign nationals impacted by ongoing delays in the processing of waiver and appeal applications. These measures are effective immediately and remain in force until 31 MARCH 2026. 1. Pending Waiver Applications Applicants with pending waiver applications […]
Read more...DECEMBER 2024 – MINISTER EXTENDS TEMPORARY IMMIGRATION CONCESSION TO 31 MARCH 2025
The Department of Home Affairs has issued Immigration Directive No. 16 of 2024, extending temporary measures to assist foreign nationals facing delays in waiver, visa, and appeal application processing. These concessions are valid until 31 March 2025 and aim to alleviate the continued backlog while ensuring applicants are not penalized. 1. Pending Waiver Applications Applicants […]
Read more...DECEMBER 2024 – EXTENSION OF LESOTHO EXEMPTION PERMITS (LEP)
The Department of Home Affairs has recently issued Immigration Directive No. 17 of 2024, extending the validity of Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEP) until 28 November 2025. This extension follows a Gauteng High Court order requiring the Minister of Home Affairs to consult affected LEP holders and stakeholders regarding the future of the LEP program. The […]
Read more...LATEST IMMIGRATION CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL REGARDING APPEALS.
To address the challenges caused by the high volume of visa and permit outcomes under the backlog, a temporary concession has been introduced for submitting appeal applications. The VFS Global appointment system has faced constraints, preventing many applicants from securing appointments within the required 10 working days after receiving a negative outcome. As a solution, […]
Read more...URGENT NOTICE REGARDING BLOCKED IDENTITY DOCUMENTS
The Department of Home Affairs has issued a notice on 16 August 2024 regarding their intention to cancel identity documents or cards of persons whose identity numbers are blocked and call for representations from affected persons. Affected persons are requested, to within 30 days from the publication of the notice to provide the Department with […]
Read more...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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