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If you are in South Africa and worried that your visa is expiring while your application is still pending, there is no need to panic. The Department of Home Affairs has extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals affected by delays in the processing of waiver, visa, and appeal applications.
On Monday, the department announced that the extension will remain in place until 1 April 2026, giving those affected enough time to await the outcomes of their applications or take appropriate steps regarding their visa statuses.
The extension means applicants will be able to collect their outcomes if successful or submit applications for the appropriate visas once a decision has been made within the next year. In addition, affected individuals will be allowed to remain in the country and extend their collection dates. Those who wish to depart South Africa may do so at a port of entry on or before 30 June 2027 without being penalised.
Visa holders who have applied for long-term visas and are still awaiting outcomes will also benefit from the concession. They will be allowed to remain in South Africa under the conditions of their current visa until 30 June 2027. Those who need to travel while awaiting the outcome of their long-term visa applications will be permitted to leave and re-enter the country without being declared undesirable.
"Visa appeal applicants who need to travel, but are still awaiting the outcome of an appeal application for a long-term visa, will be allowed to depart from and re-enter the Republic at a port of entry up to and including 30 June 2027, without being declared undesirable in
terms of section 30(1)(h) of the Immigration Act, read with regulation 27(3) of the Immigration Regulations," DHA said in a statement.
However, the department has warned that "applicants are not allowed to engage in any activity other than what the current visa conditions provide for."
Applicants who have lodged appeals are required to present a copy of their rejection letter, along with proof of their appeal submission, when departing from or re-entering South Africa at a port of entry to qualify for the temporary concession.
The concessions apply to foreign nationals who have been legally admitted into South Africa. However, individuals whose applications have been rejected and whose appeals have been pending for more than three months are excluded from this concession.
Recent global disruptions, including conflicts in the Middle East, have also affected travel, contributing to delays in processing and movement.
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign nationals. This extension provides much-needed relief to those concerned about the impact of visa processing delays, allowing them to remain compliant while awaiting the outcome of their applications.
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