South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced that Zimbabwean nationals have been granted an automatic validity period through Nov. 28, 2025, on their exemption permits.

Key Points:

  • Zimbabwean nationals who were granted Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) have been granted automatic extensions of their exemptions.
  • Existing ZEPs will remain valid for the next 12 months.
  • An exemption permit holder is entitled to conduct business, work and seek employment as well as have free movement between South Africa and any other country.
  • Zimbabwean nationals cannot apply for permanent residency regardless of the period of stay in South Africa and cannot change their immigration status during the validity of the permit.

Background: The ZEP program began when the South African government granted “special dispensation” for Zimbabweans who were in the country illegally, many of whom had fled violence and instability. The South African government replaced special dispensation for Zimbabweans with special permits in 2014 and again in 2017 with the introduction of ZEPs. The exemption affects approximately 178,000 Zimbabwean nationals.

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

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