THE almost 200 000 Zimbabweans currently on permits issued under the
Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) project have to seek alternative
permits if they wish to extend their work, study or stay in South
Africa beyond 2017, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said on
Wednesday.



"Those from Zimbabwe, as we announced last year when we announced the
extension until December 2017, will, in the meantime, between now and
December 31st of 2017, have to regularise themselves in South Africa
by applying for other permits and visas which are provided for in the
Immigration Act," Gigaba told reporters in Rustenburg.



"The special Zimbabwe dispensation cannot exist forever. We,
therefore, have to move towards a phase where we regularise them by
ensuring that we provide them with visas in terms of the Immigration
Act, and not through special arrangements."

Asked what would happen to the Zimbabweans based in South Africa if
they have not attained other permits by December 2017, when they
special dispensation permits expire, Gigaba said he wouldn't speculate
on the matter.

"Should the end of December 2017 and we have people who have not yet
regularised themselves differently, out of the Zimbabwe special
dispensation, I think we will look at the matter then. I don't want to
speculate about what will happen at that time but obviously, we will
look at the Immigration Act, the new international migration white
paper that will have been adopted by then and we will see how we deal
with those situations," said Gigaba.

"Quite clearly, what we would like to do, to the best extent possible,
is to regularise the stay of foreign nationals in our country, to
documents those that qualify for documentation but otherwise the
provisions of the Immigration Act will have to kick in. Those who are
not properly documented will

now face deportation, but it's not
something we are thinking about at the present moment."

He said the Pretoria authorities would also look into "personal
circumstances of the holders of those permits when the end of December
2017 comes."

In 2009, the South African Cabinet approved the Zimbabwe Dispensation
Project (DZP) which gave Zimbabweans working, studying or running
businesses across South Africa an opportunity to regulate their stay
with five-year permits. When the DZP ran it's course, with just over
245 000 permits issued, Pretoria introduced the three-year permits
under the ZSP.

"We are appreciative of the many contributions made by Zimbabweans in
our society and economy. Zimbabweans have made notable contributions
in our education and health sectors for example as teachers and health
professionals, and in many other sectors," Gigaba said while
introducing the ZSP in 2014.

"In general, we appreciate the contribution of the immigrants in our
country in terms of enhancing our social, cultural and economic life."

Stringent application conditions for the ZSP permit applications,
however, included that the applicant must have a valid Zimbabwean
passport; evidence of employment, business or accredited study; and a
clear criminal record.

Gigaba indicated in 2014 that ZSP permit-holders who wish to stay in
South Africa after the expiry of the permits in 2017, must return to
Zimbabwe to apply for mainstream visas and permits provided for, under
the South African Immigration Act.

By December 2014, home affairs had received more than 207 000 ZSP
applications, with the department subsequently rejecting 12,228 of the
applications and approving 185 075 permits. V.1733

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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