Home Affairs Backlog

 1 April 2022

TEMPORARY MEASURES IN RESPECT OF FOREIGN NATIONALS IN LIGHT OF BACKLOG BEING EXPERIENCED IN PROCESSING OUTCOMES ON WAIVER AND VISA APPLICATIONS

In an attempt to address the impact that the backlog in processing outcomes on waiver- and visa applications has on foreign nationals, the Minister of Home Affairs has approved that some temporary measures be introduced to address the situation they find themselves in. 

WAIVER APPLICATIONS OUTCOMES PENDING

Foreign nationals whose waiver applications are still pending are hereby granted a blanket temporary extension until 30 September 2022 in order for the Department to rpocess these applications and for applicants to collect their outcomes and submit applications for appropriate visas. Anyone who wishes to abandon their waiver applications and depart South Africa will be allowed to exit the country on or before 30 June 2022 without being declared undesirable. 

VISA APPLICATIONS OUTCOMES PENDING

Foreign nationals who are awaiting the outcome of visa pplications are granted a blanket temporary extension until 30 September 2022 of the current visa status. 

Applicants who would like to abandon their visa applications may depart from South Africa on or before 30 September 2022 without being declared undesirable. 

Anyone who chooses to travel and need to re-enter the country during the period up to 30 September 2022, can re-enter the country to receive the outcome of their pending visa applications without being declared undesirable. Foreign nationals who originate from countries that are not visa exempt for visits to South Africa will require a port of entry visa as well as their VFS receipt in order to be re-admitted to South Africa. 

CLOSING

For clarification or assitance on the above, please do not hesitate to contact Marissa Rogers at marissa@southboundmigration.co.za or 082 477 0673.