Exemption Extended

Visa applications within South Africa: Exemption extended again

Due to the persistent backlogs in the processing of visa applications within South Africa (over 60 000 at this point), the Minister has once more extended the exemption for persons awaiting outcomes of pending waiver or visa applications.

Those who (entered the country legally and) applied for waivers or temporary residence visas may continue their activities as per their last visas, OR leave the country without being declared undesirable. Those awaiting long-term visas are exempted until 31 December 2023.

Note: The exemption includes tourists who have applied for extensions of their 30- or 90-day visas and not received a result prior to their departure, BUT their exemption has only been extended until 30 April 2023. They will therefore have to leave the country by then to avoid being banned from re-entry.

Further extensions of this exemption are possible, but will be announced closer to the time, as was the case here.

For further information kindly contact our office on 021 462 3184.

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