On 29 July 2026, the Western Cape High Court declared several birth registration regulations unconstitutional, ruling that children of undocumented foreign nationals, children whose parents do not possess valid passports or immigration documents, and adults who were abandoned or orphaned as children must be able to have their births registered. The Court held that the […]
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JUNE 2026 – THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS PUBLISHES UPDATED VISA AND PERMIT TURNAROUND TIMES
The Department of Home Affairs has published updated prescribed turnaround times for various visa and permit-related services, providing applicants with greater certainty regarding expected processing periods. It is important to note that these turnaround times are calculated in working days, not calendar days. Weekends and South African public holidays are therefore excluded. For example, a turnaround […]
Read more...MARCH 2026 – EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY CONCESSION FOR VISA, WAIVER AND APPEAL APPLICATIONS
The Department of Home Affairs has issued Immigration Directive No. 7 of 2026 on 30 March 2026, extending temporary concessions for visa, waiver, and appeal applications in South Africa. The Directive introduces extended validity periods for applicants with pending waiver, long-term visa, and appeal applications, allowing them to remain in the Republic lawfully while awaiting […]
Read more...JANUARY 2026 – PUBLICATION OF TURNAROUND TIMES FOR VISA AND PERMIT RELATED SERVICES
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 […]
Read more...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 […]
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