EXTENSION OF ZIMBABWEAN EXEMPTION PERMITS: ZEP holders encouraged to apply now.

EXTENSION OF ZIMBABWEAN EXEMPTION PERMITS
ZEP HOLDERS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY NOW

Dear NEASA subscriber

 
On 2 September 2022, the Minister of Home Affairs issued a press statement and accompanying directive regarding the extension of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) for an additional six (6) months, until 30 June 2023.
 
This decision was taken consequent to the advice from the Departmental Advisory Committee (DAC), as appointed by the Minister, regarding their progress in assessing all the visa applications by the affected ZEP holders, as the processing thereof is a time-consuming process.

The Department, in said statement, called upon all affected ZEP holders to utilise this window of opportunity to lodge their applications for alternative visas and/or the appropriate waivers, as the processing thereof is a time-consuming process.
 
These applications should not be left to the last minute due to the granting of this extension, but should be lodged as a matter of urgency, as most of these applications, especially waiver applications, may easily take up to six (6) months. 
 
As per the directive:

• no holder of the exemption may be arrested, ordered to depart or be detained for purposes of deportation, or deported for any reason related to him or her not having any valid exemption certificate (i.e., permit label/sticker) in his or her passport; they may also not be dealt with as “illegal” or “undesirable” persons;
• the holder of the exemption may be allowed to enter into or depart from the Republic of South Africa, provided that he or she complies with all other requirements for entry into and departure from the Republic, save for the reason of not having a valid permit indicated in his or her passport; and
• no holder of the exemption should be required to produce-
  • a valid exemption certificate; or
  • an authorisation letter to remain in the Republic when making an application for any category of the visas, including temporary residence visas. 

Although NEASA assists employers in need of assistance with their incapacity procedures for all ZEP holder employees, who cannot obtain any of the alternative mainstream visas, NEASA does not process applications for visas and/or permits.

However, since compliance with the complexities of these applications are cumbersome, NEASA advises the employees and employers who require assistance with the relevant visas/permits to utilise the services of a specialist immigration practitioner, Henry Harper, by sending an e-mail to henry@hasslefree.co.za, or visit www.hasslefree.co.za.

For more information:
NEASA Media Department
media@neasa.co.za