On 21 December 2023, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) granted another blanket extension to 30 June 2024, providing an additional 6 months for long-term visa or waiver applicants who are awaiting their outcomes of their pending applications. The previous deadline was set to end on 31 December 2023, and this is significant news for those affected by the visa backlog.
This concession is only applicable to applicants who have applied through VFS before or on 30 November 2023 and simply means that long-term visa or waiver applicants are permitted to legally remain in the country until 30 June 2024, pending the finalisation of their applications.
Those that are traveling on passports issued by countries that are not visa exempted are required to apply for a visitor’s visa to return to South Africa until their applications have been finalised.
The Following Measures Will Apply With Immediate Effect
Foreign nationals whose waiver application outcomes are still pending:
Long-term visa holders who applied for a waiver which is still being processed as of 30 November 2023, will be granted a temporary extension until 30 June 2024. This will enable the DHA to process the applications and foreign nationals to collect their outcomes and submit applications for appropriate visas.
Foreign nationals whose visa applications are still pending:
Visa holders who applied for long-term visas (work, business, study, relative, and accompanying spouse) which are still being processed as of 30 November 2023, will be granted a temporary extension until 30 June 2024 to their current visa status. Applicants are not allowed to engage in any activity other than provided for in their current visa conditions.
Foreign nationals whose appeal applications are still pending:
Visa holders who appealed a negative decision on an application for long-term visas (work, business, study, relative, and accompanying spouse) which are still being processed as of 30 November 2023, will be granted a temporary extension until 30 June 2024 to their current visa status. Applicants are not allowed to engage in any activity other than provided for in their current visa conditions.
Individuals who wish to abandon their pending visa, appeal or waiver application and leave the country instead, may be allowed to do so on or before 30 June 2024 without being declared undesirable in terms of section 30(1)(h) of the Immigration Act, read with regulation 27(3) of the Immigration `Regulations.
All appeal applicants are required to produce a copy of the rejection letter with a receipt for the appeal application on departure and re-entry into South Africa.
Short-term visa holders issued in terms of section 11(1)(a) of the Immigration Act whose visa validity was less than 90 days and have applied for a renewal and still awaiting outcome as of 30 November 2023, will need to make the necessary arrangements to leave South Africa on or before 23 February 2024, to avoid being declared as undesirable persons.
