Ministerial Directives
Official instructions from the Minister of Home Affairs that change or clarify South African immigration rules. Currently tracking 31 directives.
ZEP Holders - Policy Clarification (No PR Pathway)
Effective: 15 April 2026
Clarifies that ZEP holders do NOT qualify for permanent residence. Issued after Deputy Minister Nzuza's comments on Newzroom Afrika created confusion.
Temporary Concession - Pending Visa, Waiver & Appeal Applications (to June 2027)
Effective: 1 April 2026
Extends lawful stay for foreign nationals with pending long-term visa, waiver, and appeal applications until 30 June 2027.
MEETS Visa Scheme - Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism
Effective: 26 February 2026
Establishes the MEETS visa for bulk conference/event delegate applications through accredited organisers via a digital platform.
Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection
Proposes fundamental restructuring of SA immigration: Skilled Worker Visa (replacing General Work + Critical Skills), Start-Up Visa, Sports & Arts Visa, Investment Visa, points-based citizenship, Immigration Advisory Board, specialized immigration courts.
STAGES Visa Scheme - Screen Talent and Global Entertainment
Effective: 11 November 2025
Establishes the STAGES visa for international film productions and entertainment crews with 24-hour approval processing.
Lesotho Exemption Permit Extension (to May 2027)
Effective: 7 October 2025
Extends Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEP) until 28 May 2027.
Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Extension (to May 2027)
Effective: 7 October 2025
Extends Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) until 28 May 2027.
Concession Extension - Waiver and Appeal Applications (to March 2026)
Effective: 30 September 2025
Extended temporary concession for foreign nationals with pending waiver and appeal applications until 31 March 2026.
Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) - Phase Two
Effective: 4 April 2025
Phase Two of TTOS inviting domestic tour operators to apply for accreditation. Enables 3-5 day digital group visa processing for Chinese and Indian tourists.
Concession Extension for Waiver and Appeal Applications
Effective: 1 April 2025
Extended the visa concession until 30 September 2025 for pending waiver and appeal applications.
Points-Based System Implementation for Work Visas
Effective: 9 October 2024
Introduces mandatory Points-Based System (PBS) requiring minimum 100 points for General Work and Critical Skills Work Visas.
Digital Nomad / Remote Work Visa Formalization
Effective: 1 March 2025
Formally establishes the Remote Work (Digital Nomad) Visa category with minimum ZAR 650,976 annual income requirement.
Port of Entry Visa Standardization at Diplomatic Missions
Effective: 8 October 2024
Orders missions and e-visa managers to adhere to prescribed requirements without adding unauthorized requirements.
SAQA Evaluation Certificate Partial Waiver
Effective: 8 October 2024
Allows proof of SAQA application submission instead of completed SAQA evaluation certificate for work visa applications.
Department of Employment and Labour Certificate Waiver
Effective: 8 October 2024
Fully waives the requirement for a DEL certificate confirming no suitable SA candidate for General Work Visas.
Trusted Employer Scheme Implementation
Effective: 1 March 2024
Formalizes the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) for streamlined work visa processing (target 20 days vs 22 weeks average).
Concession Extension for Pending Applications (July 2024)
Effective: 4 July 2024
Extension for foreign nationals waiting in South Africa for outcomes of their waiver, visa, and appeal applications.
Immigration Amendment Bill (B8-2024)
Proposes codifying recent directive changes into law: abolishing BI-806 radiograph, reducing police clearance scope, formalizing PBS, and other amendments.
Implementation of Constitutional Court Order - Immigration Detention Rights
Effective: 5 March 2024
Implements Constitutional Court rulings on immigration detention. Requires detainees to be brought before court within 48 hours and informed of their rights.
Extension of Lesotho Exemption Permits
Effective: 4 December 2023
Extended Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEP) until 29 November 2024.
Extension of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits
Effective: 4 December 2023
Extended Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) until 29 November 2024.
Revised Critical Skills List 2023
Effective: 3 October 2023
Updated Critical Skills List adding veterinarians, expanding engineer eligibility, and modifying university lecturer requirements.
Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders: exemptions extended to 31 December 2023
Effective: 30 June 2023
Extends the validity of Zimbabwean exemption permits for a further six months beyond 30 June 2023, to 31 December 2023.
Blanket Concession for Pending Visa Applications (Initial)
Effective: 1 September 2022
First blanket concession addressing the DHA visa backlog (at one point 300,000+ applications). Protected applicants with pending long-term visa applications from becoming illegal.
Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders: exemptions extended to 30 June 2023
Effective: 31 December 2022
Extends the Zimbabwean exemptions for a further six months, from 31 December 2022 to 30 June 2023, so holders can apply for visas they may qualify for.
Implementation of the Critical Skills List (2022) - Transitional Arrangements
Effective: 1 February 2022
Implements the 2022 Critical Skills List with transitional arrangements from the 2014 list. Introduces MIE/Sterling employment verification requirement. Withdraws three prior waivers including the SA graduate PR pathway.
Withdrawal of the 2016 waivers: graduate permanent residence and critical-skills qualifications
Effective: 31 January 2022
Formally withdraws the 2016 Ministerial Waiver that allowed graduates from South African tertiary institutions in critical skills areas to apply for permanent residence without meeting standard requirements.
Temporary Measures for Foreign Nationals - COVID-19 Omicron Variant Travel Bans
Effective: 1 December 2021
Temporary measures for foreign nationals in light of the imposition of travel bans due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Ministerial Waiver (2016) - SA Graduate PR Pathway [WITHDRAWN]
WITHDRAWN: Allowed graduates from SA tertiary institutions in critical skills areas to apply for permanent residence under Section 27(b) without 5 years experience, professional body registration, or employer testimonials.