Massive Relief: Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) and Lesotho Special Permits (LSP) Extended by 18 Months
ZEP and LSP permits, issued to Zimbabwean and Lesotho nationals living in South Africa through special concessions first made in 2009 and 2015, respectively, have since been extended through various means. The latest extensions were due to expire next months, and ZEP and LSP holders had been urged and incentivized through a special waiver to change their statuses to ordinary visas. Some who followed this advice have received their work or other visas, but the majority are still waiting either for their waiver or visa outcomes.
As the expiry deadline drew near, and after consultation with his newly appointed Immigration Advisory Board (the statutory body IMCOSA’s Director served on for seven years), the Minister has now issued directives No 20 and 21 of 2025, allowing holders of ZEP or LSP permits to continue living, working, conducting their businesses, studying, and traveling out of and back into the country under the same conditions as before for another 18 months, expiring on 28 May 2027.
This move provides temporary relief to thousands of affected permit holders whose fate had been uncertain, and to their employers and families. The directives are not expected to impact on any pending applications for waivers and ordinary visas.
For detailed advice, contact our Team.