No Further Automatic Visa Extension
As per Government Gazette of 28 September 2021, visas that expired after 15 March 2020 and were issue before 15 March 2021 are NOT automatically extended beyond 30 September. This means that their holders have to leave the country by 30 September OR – provided they are able to meet the conditions – apply for a new visa before that date. Failing this, they will be in the country illegally and will be declared undesirable on departure, banning them from returning to South Africa for between 12 months and 5 years.
Exceptions to this rule apply to a) persons who have applied for a “waiver” and have not left the country since March 2020, and b) persons whose asylum seeker or refugee permits have expired during the lockdown. Their status is deemed to be valid until 31 December 2021.
Contact the IMCOSA team for further information and support with visa extensions or applications.
ZEP & LSP Extended
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