On 26 March 2021 the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, once again extended the validity of visas and permits which expired during the national lock down from 31 March 2021 to 30 June 2021. However, this particular extension only applies to the South African visitors’ visa and permits issued for less than 90 days. This effectively means that such holders will not be declared undesirable if their visas or permits expired during the course of the national lockdown because they are now deemed to be valid until 30 June 2021.
This concession does not apply to the following visas which have expired during the National State of Disaster namely:
- Study visas;
- Treaty visas;
- Business visas;
- Medical treatment visas;
- General work visas;
- Critical skills work visas;
- Retired person visas;
- Exchange visas;
- Visas issued for more than 90 days up to three years; and
- Any visa or permit obtained on or after 15 March 2021, or to any persons who entered on or after this date.
Instead the abovementioned holders who are not entitled to the South African visitors’ visa extension should instead apply for visas at www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica on or before 31 July 2021, or leave the country before this date.
It is important for visa holders to adhere to the terms and conditions of their visas and any activity not endorsed onto such visa or permits is prohibited.
In addition, the asylum seeker permits or refugee status, which has been granted in terms of the Refugees Act, which expired from 15 March 2020, is deemed to have been extended up to and including 30 June 2021.
Similarly, Lesotho Special Permits, which have expired, is deemed to have been extended to 30 June 2021.
