The South African Department of Home Affairs has introduced a temporary visa concession aimed at assisting airline passengers and crew members who have been impacted by ongoing airspace closures in parts of the Middle East and Gulf region.
Authority
This concession has been issued by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr L.A. Schreiber, MP, in terms of section 31(2)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2002.
Purpose of the Concession
The directive seeks to provide relief to individuals who are unable to travel due to disruptions caused by airspace closures in several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Oman, following recent military activity in the region.
Key Concessions
1. Long-Term Visa Holders
Holders of long-term visas that are due to expire on or before 31 March 2026 may apply for a visitor’s visa before their current visa expires.
It is important to note that visa conditions cannot be changed under this concession—only a visitor’s visa may be issued.
2. Visitor’s Visa Holders
Individuals currently in South Africa on a visitor’s visa, who have reached the maximum allowable duration (and would ordinarily not qualify for an extension), are permitted to apply for a new visitor’s visa for a further period of up to three months.
As with other concessions, no change in visa conditions will be permitted.
3. Temporary Residence Visa Holders
Applicants whose temporary residence visas have expired may submit renewal applications without the requirement of FORM 20, which is typically used to regularize an overstay while awaiting a decision.
4. Pending Visa Applications
Passengers and crew members with pending visa applications will not be declared undesirable due to overstaying, provided that their inability to depart South Africa is directly linked to the airspace closures.
5. Individuals Previously Declared Undesirable
Those who were declared undesirable on or after 26 February 2026, as a result of being unable to leave South Africa due to these travel disruptions, may submit an appeal.
Appeals must be supported by relevant evidence and submitted via email to:
middleeast.overstay@dha.gov.za
Applicability and Duration
This concession applies strictly to airline passengers and crew who have been directly affected by the specified airspace closures and who entered South Africa legally.
The measures will remain in effect until 31 May 2026, or until normal travel resumes following a ceasefire in the affected regions whichever occurs first.
Conclusion
This temporary visa concession reflects the Department of Home Affairs’ commitment to providing flexibility and humanitarian support during unforeseen global disruptions. Affected individuals are encouraged to take advantage of these provisions while ensuring compliance with the outlined conditions.
Click here to view Immigration Directive No. 7 of 2026
