South Africa | Temporary concession for certain visa, waiver applications extended again

South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs extended the temporary concession for certain visa and waiver applications to Dec. 31, 2024.

Key Points:

• Under the previous extension, individuals with pending visa or waiver applications were permitted to stay in South Africa through June 30, 2024. Individuals with pending long-term visa, waiver and/or appeal applications are now permitted to remain through Dec. 31, 2024, and may travel provided they travel with proof of their pending application and confirmation of the prevailing concession.
• The temporary concession allows foreign nationals who had pending long-term visas, waivers and appeal applications to continue to reside and work in South Africa where applicable and in terms of the conditions of their most recent expired visas pending the decision of their applications.
• Individuals holding short-term visas issued for 90 days or less who have applied for a renewal but whose application has not been adjudicated within 90-days of the expiration are still required to leave the Republic of South Africa within the 90-day period from their expiration date.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals who are from countries that are exempt from entry visa requirements can depart South Africa and return by showing their Visa Facilitation Service submission receipt. Individuals from countries that require a visa to enter South Africa are advised not to travel, as they will need to apply for a visa in their country of residence to return to South Africa. Finally, those who have expired visas and wish to leave South Africa can do so without being declared “undesirable” upon their departure if they leave before Dec. 31.

BAL Analysis: South African immigration authorities are still experiencing continued visa application backlog challenges, and the government has granted the automatic visa and waiver extensions to help those who have been negatively impacted by current processing delays. Foreign nationals with pending waiver or visa applications can now stay in the country legally until at least Dec. 31, 2024.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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