South Africa: Additional Concession Granted for Individuals With Pending Applications Due to Processing Delays
March 28, 2025

Update – March 28, 2025: Long-term visa applications (including appeals and waivers) still pending as of March 31, 2025 are automatically extended until September 30, 2025.
Update - December 18, 2024: Long-term visa applications (including appeals and waivers) still pending as of November 30, 2024, are automatically extended until March 31, 2025.
Update - July 5, 2024: Foreign nationals with pending long-term visa applications (including appeals and waivers) as of June 30, 2024, have been granted a further temporary extension of status until December 31, 2024. However, this does not apply to individuals holding short-term visas issued for 90 days or less who have applied for a renewal but whose application has not been adjudicated as of June 30, 2024; these individuals are required to leave South Africa within 90 calendar days from the date of expiry of the initial short-term visa.
Update - February 1, 2024: Visa waiver applications still pending as of November 30, 2023 are automatically renewed until June 30, 2024.
December 22, 2023: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has granted an additional concession to foreign nationals whose applications for waivers, long-term visas, and appeals are still pending as of November 30, 2023, due to the ongoing backlog of applications. Specifically, the DHA will now allow individuals applying for these items and those who seek to abandon their applications to depart and re-enter South Africa, whereas normally they would not be readmitted for having overstayed in the country. However, individuals with pending applications may be asked by immigration officers to show a receipt that they had submitted their application both on exit and re-entry to South Africa and those individuals who are visa-required must apply for their visa before returning to South Africa. However, short-term visa holders who applied for an extension of their visa as of November 30, 2023 are required to leave the country if they have not received a decision on their application by February 23, 2024.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Blog post
Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Blog post
Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Video
Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Video
Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Media mentions
Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Blog post
Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Blog post
Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Video
Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Video
Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Media mentions
Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.