ABC Immigration

🧾 ZEPs and Permanent Residence: Summary of the Department’s clarified policy (April 2026)
The Department of Home Affairs issued a clarification after confusion caused by public remarks from the Deputy Minister:
1. No change in policy
The Department stated “categorically” that there has been no change to the policy regarding ZEP holders.
2. Validity of current permits
All existing ZEPs remain valid until 29 May 2027 following the latest extension.
3. No pathway to permanent residence via ZEP
ZEP holders do NOT qualify for permanent residence under the conditions of the permit.
4. Public consultation process underway
Government is conducting consultations on the future of ZEP (and LEP) to ensure a:
fair
transparent
legally compliant outcome
5. Final policy still pending
A comprehensive policy position will be submitted to Cabinet by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.
⚖️ Context behind the clarification
Confusion arose after comments linked to the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection.
The ZEP programme has been under legal challenge, requiring Home Affairs to follow a lawful consultation process before making final decisions.
✔️ Bottom line
ZEP holders are safe for now (until May 2027)
No automatic PR route exists via ZEP
Future of the programme is still under review

Home Affairs says no change in Zimbabwe exemption permits policy following confusion The Department of Home Affairs says ZEP permits remain valid until 29 May 2027, following a ministerial extension granted in June 2025, and urges against misinformation causing unnecessary anxiety.

⚠️ Important Update for Visa Holders in South Africa
Foreign nationals in South Africa should take careful note of the 60-day visa application rule, which is now being strictly enforced by the Department of Home Affairs.

Recent decisions indicate that applications lodged less than 60 days before expiry are now being refused, even where the applicant is attempting to regularise their stay.

The consequences can be serious: • Refusal of the application • Disruption to employment, study, or business activities • Possible overstay declarations

📌 What visa holders should do now
✔ Check your visa expiry date early ✔ Start preparing documents well in advance ✔ Treat the 60-day deadline as a firm rule ✔ Submit applications as early as possible.

In a system where processing delays remain common, waiting until the last minute can create unnecessary immigration risk.
The safest strategy is simple: plan early and apply early.

Contact ABC Immigration for advice and guidance regarding your visa and permit matters.

South Africa

At the end of January our Immigration Specialist, Adno Boshoff, attended the Gauteng & National Public Consultation the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection (CIRP) held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, to keep abreast of government's thinking and planned legislation and to better inform our clients on the way forward.

LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn