NEW Automatic Visa Extensions & Travel Exemptions
Applicants for long-term visas covered until 30 September
The Minister of Home Affairs’ directive No 16 of 2024, published on 18 December 2024, accommodated those affected by visa, waiver and appeal processing backlogs by extending the previous travel exemption until 31 March 2025. At the eleventh hour on 28 March 2025, this exemption was extended – in part.
According to the latest extension, those who applied for waivers or long-term temporary residence visas on or before the 28th of March 2025, and who have not received an outcome by the time they travel, or who have appealed a negative decision, may continue their activities as per their last visas, OR leave the country by 30 September 2025 without being banned from returning.
NOTE: The update no longer includes short-term visitors and tourists who wish to stay in South Africa longer than their 30- or 90-day visas. All those who are awaiting an extension of their short-term visas and whose previous visas have expired while waiting, must leave the country by the end of 31 March 2025, or await the outcome of their application before their departure. If they leave from 1 April 2025 before their extension has been granted, they should expect to receive a travel ban of 1 year or longer.
For specific and detailed information, kindly contact our office on 021 462 3184, or send an email to info@imcosa.co.za.