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Extension of Temporary Travel Concession for Foreign Nationals wishing to leave South Africa without incurring an Overstay Ban or being declared Undesirable upon leaving South Africa

Source: SA Migration, 30/12/2023

Subject: Extension of Temporary Travel Concession for Foreign Nationals wishing to leave South Africa without incurring an Overstay Ban or being declared Undesirable upon leaving South Africa

I trust this letter finds you well.

I am writing to bring to your attention the recent developments announced by the Department of Home Affairs regarding the extension of temporary concessions concerning foreign nationals and their respective visa applications.

In light of the ongoing backlog in processing outcomes on waiver applications, visa applications, and appeal applications, the Department of Home Affairs has approved a series of temporary measures to mitigate the impact on affected individuals. In accordance with Circular: Extension Of Temporary Concession In Respect Of Foreign Nationals In Light Of A Continued Backlog In Processing Outcomes On Waiver Applications, Visa Applications And Appeal Applications - Dated 21 December �` Issued by Director General we summarise the main points affecting you .

Outlined below are the temporary measures that will be effective immediately:
Here are the key aspects of the temporary measures:
1. Applicants with Pending Waiver Applications: Individuals holding visas who have applied for a waiver and have pending outcomes as of 30 November 2023 will receive a further temporary extension until 30 June 2024. This extension allows time for the Department to process applications and for applicants to collect their outcomes and submit appropriate visa applications. Those opting to abandon their waiver applications and depart from South Africa may do so before or on 30 June 2024 without being deemed undesirable. You will allowed to exit at a port of entry before or on 30 June 2024 without being declared. Visa holders who need to travel, but are awaiting the outcome of a waiver application, they should be allowed to exit and re-enter at a port of entry up to and including 30 June 2024 . Note non-visa exempt applicants who travel out of the country with a waiver application receipt are required to apply for a port of entry visa which would allow them re-entry into South Africa.

2. Applicants with Pending Visa Applications: Visa holders with pending long-term visa applications as of 30 November 2023 will also receive an extension until 30 June 2024. They are, however, restricted to activities as per their current visa conditions. Visa holders who have applied for long-term visas (Visitor’s Visas in terms of section 11(1)(b} and 11(6) of the Immigration Act; Business Visas, Study Visas, Relative’s Visas and Work Visas) and the visa application is still pending as at 30 November 2023, to be granted a further temporary extension until 30 June 2024 of the current visa status. Applicants are not allowed to engage in any activity other than what the visa conditions provide for. For those who wish to travel will be allowed to exit at a port of entry before or on 30 June 2024 without being declared undesirable. Note non-visa exempt applicants who travel out of the country with a long-term visa application receipt, are required to apply for a port of entry visa which would allow them re-entry into South Africa.

3.Applicants with Pending Visa Appeal Applications: Visa holders who have appealed negative decisions on long-term visa applications will receive a temporary extension until 30 June 2024, subject to similar conditions. Visa holders who have appealed a negative decision on an application for long-term visa (Visitor’s Visas in terms of section 11(1)(b} and 11(6) of the Immigration Act; Business Visas, Study Visas, Relative’s Visas and Work Visas) to be granted a temporary extension until 30 June 2024 of the current yisa status. Applicants are not allowed to engage in any activity other than what the visa conditions provide for. For those who wish to depart from South Africa, they should be allowed to exit at a port of entry before or on 30 June 2024 without being declared undesirable. All appeal applicants are required to produce a copy of the rejection letter with a receipt for the appeal application on departure and re-entry into South Africa. Non-visa exempt appeal applicants who travel out of the country with an appeal application receipt, are required to apply for a port of entry visa which would allow them re-entry into South Africa.

4. Short-Term Visa Holders: Those holding short-term visas issued for 90 days or less up to 30 November 2023 and awaiting renewal outcomes by 23 February 2024 must make arrangements to depart from South Africa on or before 29 February 2024 to avoid being deemed undesirable.
Please note that these measures exclusively apply to legally admitted foreign nationals who submitted applications via VFS Global on or before 30 November 2023.
.Should you require further clarification or assistance regarding these developments, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Email :info@samigration.com
Whatsapp Tel No : +27 (0) 82 373 8415 - ( Whatsapp messages only, No calls )

Tel No office : +27 (0) 82 373 8415 ( Whatsapp messages only, No calls )
Tel No landline CT : +27 (0) 21 879 5560
Tel No landline JHB : +27 (0) 12 880 1490
Tel No admin : +27 (0) 64 126 3073 �` ( Whatsapp calls only �` No Messages )
Tel No sales : +27 (0) 74 0366127 - ( Whatsapp calls only �` No Messages )
Yours sincerely,
Rod Maxwell
CEO

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