South Africa’s newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, has extended the temporary visa concession for foreign nationals awaiting the outcome of their visa, waiver, and appeal applications. This extension, announced just a day after Schreiber was sworn in, protects applicants from facing adverse consequences or being mistakenly declared undesirable during the processing period.
The extension addresses delays caused by backlog issues within the department, despite recent progress. Schreiber’s decision aims to safeguard applicants, including those with scarce skills contributing to South Africa.
“The decision to avert adverse consequences for applicants who seek lawful visas to contribute to South Africa, either through their skills or as tourists, signals the Minister’s commitment to improving the visa system,” stated the Department of Home Affairs.
South Africa recently proposed an overhaul of immigration laws and President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Schreiber, who has pledged to reinvigorate the Department of Home Affairs and position it as a vital economic enabler. Future extensions or modifications will be communicated before the new expiry date of December 31, 2024.
Effective immediately, the following temporary measures apply:
- Pending Waiver Applications: Visa holders awaiting waiver outcomes as of June 30, 2024, receive an extension until December 31, 2024, and can exit and re-enter South Africa without being declared undesirable.
- Pending Visa Applications: Holders of long-term visa applications pending as of June 30, 2024, receive an extension until December 31, 2024. Those who abandon their applications can exit without being declared undesirable.
- Pending Appeal Applications: Visa appeal applicants receive an extension until December 31, 2024, and can exit and re-enter without being declared undesirable.
Short-term visa holders must leave South Africa within 90 days from their visa expiry to avoid being declared undesirable. This concession applies only to those legally admitted to South Africa and who have submitted applications through VFS Global with a verifiable receipt.
