A directive from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) granting additional extensions and a grace period for long-term visa holders who are in South Africa for work, business, study, and family reasons does not apply to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders, industry employers’ organizations have cautioned.
The National Employers Association (Neasa) warned in a notice to members that the latest visa directive, issued on 31 March, was not applicable to ZEP holders, who must still meet the deadline to apply for alternative visas.
“The validity of the ZEPs was extended until 30 June, and this remains the status quo until the DHA states otherwise.
“All affected ZEP holders are still urged to lodge their applications for alternative visas and/or the appropriate waivers as soon as reasonably practicable, as most of these applications, especially waiver applications, may easily take up to six months,” Neasa said.
The association warned that workers who hold a ZEP permit would be considered illegal immigrants after the 30 June deadline if they have not already applied for a waiver, or another mainstream visa such as a critical skills work, business, general or spousal visa.
If a ZEP holder has a receipt to prove he or she applied for a visa through the Visa Facilitation Services (VFS), they may continue to work even after the expiry date of 30 June until they receive the outcome of their visa application.
ZEP holders cannot apply for permanent residency.
Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly said the latest extension only applied to people who had already applied for extensions and visas via the VFS.
“There will be no impact on foreign drivers working under the authority of a ZEP, unless they had already started the process through the VFS and are still awaiting the outcome of their application.
“They would then – with the receipt from the VFS – still be eligible to work after 30 June,” he said.
The DHA said in a statement that the extension was only applicable to applicants who had submitted an application via VFS before or on 31 March.
“The decision means that long-term visa or waiver applicants are permitted to legally remain in the country until 31 December, pending the finalization of their applications.
“Those who are travelling 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 finalized,” the DHA said.
