The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) achieved remarkable results in the last six months with their initiative to clear the visa application backlog, however; the Minister has once again had to extend the concession period for foreign nationals who are awaiting the outcome of their applications to ensure they are able to remain in South Africa on a legally correct basis.

The extension of the concession was unavoidable as the outcomes of many applicants were not ready for collection when the festive season started, the Minister of Home Affairs announced in a Directive. Although the visa backlog has been eradicated, a backlog persists in the appeals area and permanent residence permit applications.

Jaco Brits, Senior Immigration Consultant at Xpatweb, says the latest concession means affected parties may continue with their activities as per their current visa conditions for another three months, until 31 March 2025. This was necessary to safeguard applicants from suffering adverse consequences or being erroneously declared undesirable in South Africa while they await the outcome of applications submitted to the Department.

"Affected parties are grateful for the progress and hard work by the Department in conjunction with the private sector to significantly reduce the backlog, but the extended concession now also brings peace of mind for many whose waiver, long-term visa and appeal applications are still pending," says Brits.

This is the second time Dr Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs, has extended the temporary concession due to the visa backlog at the Department dating back almost ten years. Shortly after his appointment as Minister in July 2024, he moved to protect applicants while the backlog was reduced.

With the latest announcement, Schreiber kept his promise of July 2024 that any further extension, modification or amendment to the terms of the concessions would be communicated prior to the then expiry date of 31 December 2024 to prevent a repeat of the situation which saw the previous concession expire before the extension being announced.

What the DHA has achieved in tackling the backlog, is to be celebrated, says Brits. Two weeks ago, the Minister announced on Twitter (X) that the DHA, within a matter of months, have processed 261,845 applications and will hit 94% backlog eradication before year end.

According to Brits it is indeed a landmark, establishing new efficiency benchmarks at the DHA. This accomplishment not only demonstrates the department's ability to meet ambitious goals but also sets a promising stage for further improvements in adjudication quality in the coming year.

The Minister said on Twitter (X): "Only mopping up and appeals remaining. In fact, our team is working so fast that we are struggling to keep up with printing and issuing outcomes. One of the first things I did after my appointment as Home Affairs Minister was to visit our visa backlog team, with the message that we want a Christmas without the decade-old backlog hanging over us. Today, went back to celebrate this team for their incredible work."

Schreiber also shared a video where he and Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza – "dressed in Christmas outfits!" – celebrated with DHA officials.

He went on to say: "It has been a year of inspiring progress at Home Affairs. Next year, we will take the lessons learnt from this project and the foundation we've laid to fully digitalise and automate our processes and take service delivery to new heights."

The further temporary extension of the concession until 31 March 2025 applies to:

Waiver Applications: Applicants with pending outcomes as of 30 November 2024 may exit and re-enter South Africa without being declared undesirable, but 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.

Visa Applications: Visa holders who have applied for long-term visas such as Business Visas, Study Visas, Relative's Visas and Work Visas and same remained pending as at 30 November 2024, have been granted further temporary extension of their current visa status. They must adhere to their current visa conditions and are allowed to travel with similar conditions as waiver applicants. Note the conditions for non-visa exempt applicants.

Visa Appeal Applications: Visa holders who appealed a negative decision on an application for a long-term visa, are granted a temporary extension for three months. Travel conditions similar to other applicants apply, and they must carry a copy of the rejection letter together with a receipt indicating the Applicant has submitted an appeal application.

Written by Xpatweb