
UPDATE JUNE 20, 2024: The Constitutional Court dismissed the appeal by the Minister of Home Affairs to determine whether to uphold the Pretoria High Court’s 2023 decision that the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) program had been unlawfully terminated. As a result of the dismissal of the case, current ZEPs will remain valid until the Minister of Home Affairs has completed the consultation process as required by the court.
UPDATE MARCH 19, 2024: The Supreme Court of Appeal has granted the Minister of Home Affairs' leave to appeal the ZEP ruling to the Constitutional Court. During the appeal process, the court-ordered validity of ZEPs of June 30, 2024 will remain in place. If the appeal is successful, the order which declared the Minister of Home Affairs’ decision as unlawful, unconstitutional, and invalid will be suspended and the ZEP process will likely end before June 30, 2024. If the appeal is not successful, ZEPs will remain valid until June 30, 2024. We will update this news brief when the Constitutional Court rules on the appeal.
UPDATE NOVEMBER 9, 2023: The High Court dismissed a request for the issuance of an execution order. The reason for requesting the execution order was to prevent the Minister from deporting ZEP holders who did not apply for another relevant visa to work in South Africa by December 31, 2023. The court further confirmed that the court-ordered validity of ZEPs of June 30, 2024 is still in place.
September 22, 2023: The Minister of Home Affairs has applied for leave to appeal the judgment of the High Court which declared his decision to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) process and not to grant an extension of ZEPs beyond December 31, 2023, unlawful, unconstitutional, and invalid. The Court issued a temporary relief that instructed the Department of Home Affairs to keep the ZEP valid for a further 12 months from the date of the judgment, which would lead to June 30, 2024. If leave is granted, the order which declared the Minister of Home Affairs’ decision as unlawful, unconstitutional, and invalid will be suspended. As a result, the ZEP process will end on December 31, 2023, as originally decided by the Minister.
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

Media mentions
Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Awards
Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Media mentions
Practice Leader Kathleen O'Donnell, Manager Kirsty Moore and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline how the latest UK immigration white paper could affect engineering recruitment for employers in the North of England.

Video
#FragomenFC co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup—and an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former professional footballer.

Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit discusses the UK's recent drop in net migration and emphasises the need for a considered yet swift response to address the economic and social impacts.

Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Christina Azntaridou discuss the UK government's immigration white paper's potential impact on construction hiring.

Media mentions
UK Managing Partner Nadine Goldfoot reflects on how the UK’s immigration system might adapt to better support business and short-term mobility.

Awards
Negocios Now names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to its NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 list.

Video
Learn the key requirements for digital nomad visas and find out which countries you can apply to as a remote worker or freelancer.

Media mentions
Practice Leader Olga Nechita provides practical guidance on navigating UK immigration routes, settlement options and key considerations for applicants.

Video
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Missy Mae Makil discusses the new DOLE rules for employing foreign nationals in the Philippines.

Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how the UK’s new Immigration White Paper could affect talent mobility and growth in the life sciences sector.

Media mentions
Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Awards
Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Media mentions
Practice Leader Kathleen O'Donnell, Manager Kirsty Moore and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline how the latest UK immigration white paper could affect engineering recruitment for employers in the North of England.

Video
#FragomenFC co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup—and an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former professional footballer.

Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit discusses the UK's recent drop in net migration and emphasises the need for a considered yet swift response to address the economic and social impacts.

Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Christina Azntaridou discuss the UK government's immigration white paper's potential impact on construction hiring.

Media mentions
UK Managing Partner Nadine Goldfoot reflects on how the UK’s immigration system might adapt to better support business and short-term mobility.

Awards
Negocios Now names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to its NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 list.

Video
Learn the key requirements for digital nomad visas and find out which countries you can apply to as a remote worker or freelancer.

Media mentions
Practice Leader Olga Nechita provides practical guidance on navigating UK immigration routes, settlement options and key considerations for applicants.

Video
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Missy Mae Makil discusses the new DOLE rules for employing foreign nationals in the Philippines.

Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how the UK’s new Immigration White Paper could affect talent mobility and growth in the life sciences sector.