The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa is continuing to battle a backlog in its visa and permit processing.
The department has thus issued a new directive. The directive allows foreigners in South Africa with pending waiver and long-term visa applications to remain until 30 June 2024.
The temporary measures are granted due to the backlog the DHA is experiencing.
It is important to note that the concessions below will only apply to foreigners who have legally entered South Africa. It also only applies to those who have submitted an application via VFS Global on or before 30 November 2023.
The DHA implemented the following Temporary Waiver Extensions
Waiver application outcomes still pending
Visa holders whose applications are still pending as of 30 November 2023 get a further temporary extension. The extension will be valid until 30 June 2024. The department hopes that this extension will enable them to process the applications, as well as allow applicants to collect their outcomes and apply for the appropriate visas.
Persons who wish to abandon their waiver applications can exit South Africa at a port of entry before or on 30 June 2024. They will not be declared undesirable if they leave before or on this date. Non-visa-exempted applicants who travel out of South Africa with a waiver application receipt are required to apply for a port of entry visa. This visa will allow them to enter the country to await the outcome of their waiver application.
Visa applications still pending
Visa holders who have applied for long-term visas (work, business, study, and relative visas) and whose applications are still pending as of 30 November 2023 will receive a further temporary extension. The temporary extension will be valid until 30 June 2024 and will be for the current visa status.
Applicants in this position cannot engage in any activity other than what the visa conditions allow.
Persons in this situation who wish to abandon their visa application and leave South Africa can do so. They can exit at a port of entry before or on 30 June 2024 without being declared undesirable. Non-visa-exempted applicants who travelled out of South Africa with a receipt are required to apply for a visitor visa. This visa will allow them to enter the country to await the outcome of their long-term visa extension.
Visa Appeal Applications
Persons who have appealed a refusal on a long-term visa application will also receive a temporary extension. The extension of their current visa status will be until 30 June 2024. Applicants in this position cannot engage in any activity other than what the visa conditions allow.
Persons who wish to abandon their visa appeal applications can exit South Africa at a port of entry before or on 30 June 2024. They will not be declared undesirable if they leave before or on this date.
If you are a visa appeal applicant and need to travel out of South Africa, you will be allowed to exit and enter at a port of entry up to 30 June 2024. They are, however, required to show a copy of the rejection letter with a receipt of the appeal application when departing and entering South Africa.
Non-visa-exempt appeal applicants who travel out of South Africa with an appeal application receipt have to apply for a port of entry visa. This visa will allow them to re-enter South Africa.
How Breytenbachs can help you
Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants have highly trained and experienced consultants who deal with SA Immigration and Citizenship matters. Please feel free to contact us for assistance with your case, or more information on waiver extensions.
