South Africa has once again taken steps to stabilise its immigration system, offering critical relief to thousands of foreign nationals affected by prolonged processing delays. On 30 March 2026, the Minister of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) issued Immigration Directive No. 7 of 2026, extending temporary concessions for pending waiver, long-term visa and visa appeal applications until 30 June 2027, subject to certain exceptions.
This directive builds on earlier measures and reflects both progress and ongoing pressure within the immigration system. South Africa’s continued appeal as a global destination has increased demand, and administrative efficiency remains a work in progress.
While the DHA has made notable strides in reducing historic backlogs, including the phased rollout of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, delays persist across several application categories. The extension acknowledges this reality while seeking to prevent undue prejudice to applicants who remain in “legal limbo” through no fault of their own.
Visa limbo extended for waivers, long-term visas and appeals
The directive provides relief across several categories of applicants. The key provisions of the extended concession, effective 1 April 2026, are as follows:
- waiver applicants: foreign nationals with pending waiver applications as at the date the directive was signed are granted a temporary extension until 30 June 2027;
- abandoning pending waiver applications: foreign nationals who elect to withdraw their pending waiver applications and depart from South Africa may do so at a relevant port of entry on or before 30 June 2027 without being declared undesirable;
- long-term visa applicants: applicants who have applied for long-term visas (including long-term visitor, study, treaty, business, crew, medical treatment, relative, work, retired persons and exchange visas) and whose applications remain pending as at the date of the directive will receive a temporary extension of their current visa status until 30 June 2027. During this period, applicants may only engage in activities authorised under their existing visa conditions;
- visa appeal applicants: individuals who have appealed a negative decision on a long-term visa in terms of section 8(4) or (6) of the Immigration Act, and whose appeals remain pending as at the date of the directive, are granted a temporary extension of their current visa status until 30 June 2027. These individuals must comply strictly with the conditions of their existing visas; and
- travelling: foreign nationals with pending waiver or long-term visa applications may depart and re-enter South Africa using their original VFS receipts without being declared undesirable. Visa appeal applicants must present a copy of their rejection letter and their original VFS receipt when departing or re-entering. Non-visa-exempt applicants must apply for a port-of-entry visa prior to re-entry.
Applicability and limitations
These temporary measures apply only to foreign nationals who were lawfully admitted into South Africa. The directive applies to applicants who submitted their applications at VFS centres in South Africa and who can provide a verifiable receipt linked to the VFS tracking system.
Despite its broad scope, the directive includes important limitations:
- foreign nationals awaiting a decision on a permanent residence permit must continue to hold valid status in South Africa while their application is being processed. These temporary measures do not apply to permanent residence applicants;
- applicants appealing the rejection of a visitor’s visa renewal in terms of section 11(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, where the appeal has been pending for more than three months, are excluded. These applicants must depart South Africa through a port of entry on or before 30 April 2026. The outcome will be communicated via the VFS tracking portal, and they will not be declared undesirable; and
- the concessions terminate upon the outcome of the relevant application or appeal, after which individuals must comply with the conditions of that decision.
Practical implications
This extension provides much-needed certainty for employers, families and individuals navigating the immigration system. It mitigates the risk of inadvertent overstays and offers temporary relief for foreign nationals awaiting decisions on pending applications. However, it reinforces an important principle: while a foreign national’s status may be preserved, the conditions of their visa remain fully enforceable. Any breach of existing visa conditions may still result in adverse consequences, including deportation (where applicable), fines or imprisonment.
Extending the concession to 30 June 2027 highlights the scale of the administrative challenges that remain within the DHA. For applicants and stakeholders alike, the position is clear: relief is available, but compliance remains essential.
The Webber Wentzel Immigration team continues to monitor DHA directives and will provide timely updates, insights and analysis.
