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Basotho nationals running out of time to apply for permits

Source: African News Agency, 15/09/2016

Johannesburg - The South African Department of Home Affairs on
Thursday confirmed that the the last day for Basotho nationals to
apply for SA-issued Lesotho Special Permits (LSP) will be on Friday 30
September 2016.

Department of Home Affairs spokesperson Thabo Mokgola said there would
be no further extension after the initial closing date was moved from
30 June 2016.

"The Department urges those who have not applied to do so speedily,
with only 16 days to go and they should visit VFS `walk-in` centres
where they will be assisted with their LSP applications," said
Mokgola.

Mokgola said that in November the department would gazette the names
of all persons who had applied but did not finalise their applications
and provide a one-month grace period to submit all outstanding
information by 31 December 2016.

"People with passports expiring within the next two years and having
the LSP visa in them, will use both their old and new passports. In
these cases there would be no need to apply and pay for transfer of
LSP visas," said Mokgola.

He said South Africa had earlier granted amnesty to all Basotho
nationals until 31 December to hand over fraudulent SA IDs at
dedicated Home Affairs offices, and that those who complied would be
eligible to apply for LSP with the application closing date.

"The Department will make these concessions applicable, people with
Lesotho ID cards but without valid passports can apply for LSP by 30
September, they must provide their passports and those who have
submitted a fully completed application form but have not paid for
their visa can do so by 31 December 2016," said Mokgola.

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