South Africa’s government has given Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders a temporary reprieve by extending the deadline to September 30, providing relief to thousands of Zimbabweans who have been in limbo due to a backlog of visa and permit applications.¹ This decision was announced by Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber.
The ZEP, introduced in 2009, has provided a legal pathway for Zimbabweans in South Africa, but its future remains uncertain. The South African government plans to phase out exemption permits, encouraging Zimbabweans to apply for mainstream visas or consider returning home.
The initial deadline was March 31, but administrative delays prevented many applications from being processed on time. This extension is particularly significant for the approximately 178,000 Zimbabweans who were eligible to apply for new exemption permits, which are set to expire in November.
The extension allows ZEP holders to resolve their status without fear of arrest, deportation, or detention. However, non-visa-exempt individuals with pending waiver applications must apply for a port of entry visa before re-entering South Africa.
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