Zimbabweans staying in South Africa have commended the host government
for introducing a new four-year permit known as the Zimbabwe Exemption
Permit (ZEP) for those wishing to study or work in that country.
The ZEP is valid between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2021, and
replaces the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) whose lifespan expires on
December 31 this year.
According to South Africa’s Home Affairs Department, the ZEP facility
is only available to 197 941 holders of the ZSP permit.
In separate interviews yesterday, Zimbabweans said the new development
brought about an end to months of speculation on reports that the
country was introducing tough measures for immigrants.
“This is a relief to the thousands of Zimbabweans who have endured
several months of speculation on their status at the expiry of the
ZSP,” said Mr Giyani Dube a representative of Zimbabweans staying in
South Africa.
“We commend South Africa for relaxing the application processes as
applicants don’t have to go back home to apply for the ZEP permits.
“I want to urge fellow Zimbabweans to take advantage of the
application window which is between 15 September and 30 November. We
are working together as teams in making the applications online and
also sharing vital information on the application process through
several media platforms.”
Mr Dube said although they welcomed the ZEP permits, they were worried
about the few others who will lose out since their ZSP applications
were still pending at the home affairs offices.
He said on the ZSP applications, details were a vital component for
one to apply for the new permits.
“We are also happy that the online application system is efficient
though there are a few technical glitches due to congestion.
“Naturally under such circumstances everyone would want to be the
first to apply before the window closes,” he said.
The

Coordinator for ZSP permit holders, Mr Edward Muchatuta said they
were engaging the department of home affairs and Zimbabwean Consulate
in that country over the issue of pending ZSP permits.
Said Mr Muchatuta; “We are worried with the situation where some of
our members are yet to get feedback on the status of their ZSP permits.
“We are still compiling the numbers of those members who are likely to
be affected by this technicality. At the moment we have come together
as interested parties and are helping each other in lodging the
applications online and making appointment with the Visa Facilitation
Services (VFS).”
“This is a positive development considering that there has been a lot
of discord over the issue especially with the changing of ministers
from Mr Malusi Gigaba to Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize.”
Mr Muchatuta also called on Zimbabweans to comply with the new
immigration regulations and make sure that they get the requisite
documents needed for processing the permits.
The applicants are required to submit; a valid Zimbabwean passport,
evidence of employment (in the case of an application for work
rights), evidence of business (in case of an application for business
rights), and evidence of admission letter from a recognised
institution (in case of an application for study rights.)
In addition to the above, they must pay an administration fee of R1 090.
Home Affairs spokesperson, Mr Thabo Mokgola said the processing of ZSP
permits was concluded in 2014.
“The process was concluded in 2014 and those who failed to qualify at
that time were given the reasons and a window period to make
representations.
“Honestly we can’t take three years to process a permit. This is not
true at all,” he said.- state media V.2017

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article

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
Click here for full article