On 29 November 2023, Minister Aaron Motsoaledi gave ZEP holders an early Christmas gift with the announcement of a ZEP visa extension and a new exemption visa that’ll enable them to remain in South Africa until 2025.
The background
Nearly 180,000 ZEP holders have faced two years of uncertainty about their legal status in South Africa.
In November 2021, the Department of Home Affairs made a last-minute decision about the extension of ZEP visas. The Department announced that it wouldn’t extend ZEP visas past its expiry date of December of that year, but that it would grant a grace period until December 2022. ZEP holders thus had a year to apply for other visas or waivers to legally remain in South Africa.
Home Affairs then granted an extension until June 2023, which was followed by another 6-month extension until 31 December 2023.
Looking forward
On Wednesday, 29 November 2023, Home Affairs announced that it is extending existing ZEP visas until 31 December 2024.
ZEP visa holders must use this extension to apply for a new exemption visa that will be valid until 29 November 2025.
Together, the extension and new exemption visa grant ZEP holders a further two years in South Africa, giving ZEP visa holders some much-needed stability for the first time since 2021.
It remains to be seen, though, what happens after 29 November 2025.
The fine print
Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi stipulates the following regulations in the directive that announced the ZEP extension:
- ZEP holders who have applied for waivers or other visas may not apply for a new exemption visa. However, their ZEP visas will also get extended until 31 December 2024 pending the finalisation of their waiver or visa application.
- ZEP visa applications must be made through VFS.
Contact us to find out if you qualify for another South African visa
Intergate Immigration cannot assist with visa exemption applications, but we can help you with applications for other South African visas.
We’ll start with an eligibility assessment to see if you qualify for any South African visas. If you do, our team will work with you to successfully submit your visa application.
Take the first step towards becoming a South African resident by completing a free eligibility assessment. One of our consultants will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your visa eligibility. Alternatively, simply give us a call at +27 (0) 21 424 2460 to speak directly with one of our immigration consultants.
