The deepening economic crisis has resulted in a renewed exodus of
Zimbabweans seeking greener pastures with most heading to neighbouring
South Africa, the Zimbabwe Independent has learnt.


Statistics made available by the South African embassy shows that work
permit and study visa applications processed by the embassy in 2015
have doubled to 300 per day from about 150 per day in 2014.


The embassy is processing about 6 000 applications a month which
translates to about 72 000 applications a year as hordes of
Zimbabweans seek economic refuge.


The exodus has coincided with many companies either shutting or
scaling down operations resulting in massive job loses.


Zimbabwe's economy, which recorded double digit growth rates after the
formation an inclusive government in 2009, whose term lapsed I 2013,
is this year seen registering a modest 2,7% growth rate.


South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela told the
Independent in an interview this week that the embassy is overwhelmed
with the increased study and work permit applications.


Traditionally, applications reach a peak between November and
March.


"The queues are longer this year, others are actually being turned
away and are asked to submit their applications at a later date since
the embassy is also dealing with backlog of both study visas as well
as work permits," said Mavimbela.


Students who had come to collect their visas said they prefer to study
in South Africa as there were higher chances of securing employment
upon completion of their studies.


"These statistics consist of a few law-abiding Zimbabweans who are
willing to apply and wait for their work permits, there are still many
that are not captured in the system but still live and work in South
Africa," said Mavimbela.


Independent estimates show that the country's

unemployment rate
currently stands at 85% while government figures released in the last
population census put the figure at 11% despite massive
de-industrialisation that has thrown thousands onto the
streets.


South Africa is Zimbabwe's major trading partner with imports from
that country accounting for nearly 70%.


In August 2014 South Africa extended an olive branch to hundreds of
thousands of Zimbabweans living in the country when it granted
three-year special permits to ease an immigration crisis.


Recent reports however show that nearly 12 000 applications have been
rejected resulting in deportations.


The Zimbabwe Special Permit, which expires in December 2017 allows
permit holders to live, work, conduct business and study in South
Africa for the duration of the permit.


On Wednesday government said"These statistics consist of a few
law-abiding Zimbabweans who are willing to apply and wait for their
work permits, there are still many that are not captured in the system
but still live and work in South Africa," said Mavimbela.


Independent estimates show that the country's unemployment rate
currently stands at 85% while government figures released in the last
population census put the figure at 11% despite massive
de-industrialisation that has thrown thousands onto the
streets.


it had received over 14 000 applications from graduates of tertiary
institutions seeking possible employment in several countries showing
the level of desperation amongst unemployed Zimbabweans.


The export of labour will start as soon as the human export policy
done by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and
Technology Development has been approved by cabinet. V.1549

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
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One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
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A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
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On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
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The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
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1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
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Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
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