I’m not sure what exactly caused this enormous backlog at the Department of Home Affairs.
Only one day in office and the new Minister for Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has made an impact. In his first official act he extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals who are currently awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver and appeal applications, until December 31, 2024.
Finally, some relief for around 145 000 applicants, many married to South Africans, who have been living in limbo and in constant fear of being declared an ‘undesirable.’
I’m not sure what exactly caused this enormous backlog at the Department of Home Affairs.
Clearly, something big went wrong. It is important to acknowledge that there are many extremely hardworking and kind Home Affairs officials.
As far as passport and identity document applications are concerned, the system has somewhat improved with the introduction of an appointment system and some bank branches becoming satellite offices. Nevertheless, the length of the queues remains unacceptable.
Hopefully Minister Schreiber will also be able to sort this out.
He might want to look at the extremely efficient online application system used by Ireland.
I recognise that this will not assist the many South Africans who are not able to use online systems, but at least it would shorten the queues significantly.
I also hope that the minister will now finally do the right thing when it comes to the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP).
Introduced in 2009, this permit gave Zimbabweans who were fleeing to South Africa for political or economic reasons, an opportunity to work, study and live here. However, for the last few years the government has been threatening to withdraw these visas.
It is estimated that such a withdrawal could affect over 200 000 Zimbabweans who, unless they can qualify for a normal work visa â€` something we all know will be nigh impossible given the high standards that the government has introduced for rare skills â€` will have to return to Zimbabwe.
Many of these Zimbabweans have been here for more than two decades and have married South Africans, who they have children with.
These threats by the government have left them in a state of constant stress and fear.
Almost all democratic countries around the

world allow people to apply for permanent residence once they’ve been in that country legally for 60 months.
The previous minister of Home Affairs has argued that this was never the case for those on the ZEP, but the question is: why not? Isn’t it the morally right thing to do â€` not to mention international jurisprudence?
It is also often argued that Zimbabweans are taking jobs away from South Africans.
It is important to recognise that Zimbabweans contribute greatly to our economy.
Not only do they work hard in professions where employers often struggle to fill positions with South Africans, but they also buy goods here to send back to Zimbabwe.
Of course, there are always those who claim that Zimbabweans are involved in crime.
I have no doubt that some are, but crime is certainly not the prerogative of Zimbabweans.
If people are involved in crime, they must be caught and prosecuted â€` irrespective of nationality.
Let’s also remember that this is not part of the so-called leaky borders issue, where people enter South Africa without valid permits.
These are people who legally applied to be here through a scheme that the government voluntarily introduced.
Last year, after facing a litany of litigation the previous minister of Home Affairs extended the permits until 29 November 2025.
That was good, but this issue needs to be sorted once and for all.
Ultimately, this is an issue about compassion.
Zimbabwe might be a bit more politically stable today, but it remains a country of political persecution and massive economic hardship.
To force almost 200 000 people to go back there is inhumane and cruel and will result in devastating suffering not only for those returning, but the extended families they support.
It will also leave thousands of South African employers without workers who they have come to rely on.
I wish Minister Schreiber well. He was certainly handed a poisoned chalice, but if he improves the efficiency and humaneness of the Department of Home Affairs, he will not only contribute to the economy, but also become the hero of South Africans and foreigners alike. V.5512

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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