In March 2023, the Department of Home Affairs issued a blanket visa extension to visa and waiver applicants. The extension’s expiry date was 31 December 2023.
On 21 December 2023, Home Affairs announced that it is granting a further extension of the visa concessions. At the time, Home Affairs said it hoped to address the impact of processing backlogs on foreign nationals with visa, waiver, and appeal applications.
Eligible applicants can legally remain in South Africa until 30 June 2024
Visa and visa waiver applicants whose applications were still pending on 30 November 2023 have been granted a temporary extension of their temporary visa status until 30 June 2024.
Visa holders who’d like to give up their visa of waiver applications can leave South Africa on or before 30 June 2024 without being declared undesirable at a port of entry.
Residents from countries that are not visa-exempt and who have travelled out of South Africa must apply for a visitor’s visa to enter South Africa.
Visa applicants who left South Africa with their receipts and who re-enter with a visitor’s visa will be able to return to SA to wait on the outcome of their visa extension.
Temporary extensions also granted to visa appeal applicants
Foreign nationals who have appealed a rejected long-term visa application can also remain in South Africa until 30 June 2024.
Applicants who wish to abandon their visa appeal can leave South Africa on or before 30 June 2024 without being declared undesirable at a port of entry.
Those who need to travel but are waiting on the outcome of their appeal are allowed to leave and enter South Africa up to and including 30 June 2024 without being declared undesirable.
All appeal applicants must produce a copy of their rejection letter with a receipt of the appeal application on departure and arrival in South Africa.
Short-term visa holders still waiting on outcomes can remain in SA until 29 February 2024
Short-term visa holders, i.e. a 90-day visa, whose visas were granted up to and including 30 November 2023 and who have not received an outcome on their visa renewal by 23 February 2024 must depart South Africa on or before 29 February 2024. Leaving South Africa after 29 February 2024 could result in the person being declared undesirable.
Contact us for advice
Please feel free to contact us if you’re seeking professional advice on your situation. Our team can also assist with visa applications.
You can reach us at +27 (0) 21 424 2460. Alternatively, request a call-back, and one of our immigration consultants will contact you instead. You can expect a call within 24 hours.
