Having cleared the bulk of the backlogs across most visa categories, the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa is shifting its focus to delayed appeals and waiver applications and is granting an extension of the temporary concession for impacted applicants until 31 March 2026.
Appeals (visa and permanent residence)
Foreign nationals who have submitted an appeal against a negative outcome received in respect of a long-term visa application or a permanent residence application, are granted an extension of their current visa status until 31 March 2026.
Accordingly, all foreign nationals who submitted an appeal on or before 23 September 2025, are legally entitled to continue the activities endorsed on their current visa (even if such visa has subsequently expired) until 31 March 2026.
Impacted foreign nationals may travel, subject to presentation of a copy of their rejection letter and the VFS appeal receipt. Non-visa exempt passport holders must apply for and receive an approved visitors visa prior to returning to South Africa requiring additional processing time and administration.
Waivers
Foreign nationals who have submitted a waiver application in respect of a long-term visa application, are granted an extension of their current visa status until 31 March 2026 to provide sufficient time for the collection of the waiver outcome and submission of the required long-term visa application thereafter.
Accordingly, all foreign nationals who submitted a waiver application on or before 23 September 2025, are legally entitled to continue the activities endorsed on their current visa (even if such visa has subsequently expired) until 31 March 2026.
Impacted foreign nationals may travel, subject to presentation of a copy of their VFS waiver receipt. Non-visa exempt passport holders must apply for and receive an approved visitors visa prior to returning to South Africa requiring additional processing time and administration.
All foreign national employees, with pending appeals against a negative visa application/permanent residence application or waiver application, submitted through a VFS centre in South Africa, are legally authorised to continue working in the same role as endorsed on the current visa until 31 March 2026 or until the outcome is received (whichever occurs first).
Accompanying foreign national family members of such employees, awaiting the outcome of their respective appeals against a negative visa application/permanent residence application or waiver application will also benefit from the temporary concessions until 31 March 2026.
Furthermore, all foreign nationals whose long-term visas have expired, and who wish to abandon their pending appeals/waiver applications, may leave the country by 31 March 2026 without being declared undesirable.
Employers are advised to factor the return entry requirements for non-visa exempt passport holders into any travel discussion.
Exclusions
All foreign nationals with pending applications outside of appeals/waivers are deemed to be excluded from these concessions. Should there be any further updates impacting such foreign nationals, these will be shared separately.
Should you have any queries, please contact your dedicated Vialto consultant, copying our Team Mailbox: za_immigration_south_africa@vialto.com
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Stephen Marlin
Territory Leader
Supriya Boodhena
Senior Manager
Natalie McLean
Manager
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