The Minister of Home Affairs announced on Friday the 8th September 2017 that a new dispensation for Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa on the current Zimbabwe Dispensation Project “ZDP” Visas could, if they applied timeously extend / apply for the new dispensation Visa which will be for a four (4) year duration.

Applications may be lodged commencing from the 15th September 2017, with the closing date for applications being November 30th 2017.

Julian Pokroy Attorneys as the leading Immigration Specialists attorney practice in South Africa for more than 35 years, can be of assistance with the ZEP exemption applications.

Enquiries in this regard should be sent to enquiries@immigration.org.za with the words “Zimbabwe Exemption Project Application” in the subject line.

Only holders of the current ZDP Visas which are set to expire on the 31st December 2017 are eligible to apply for the ZEP exemption.

It is unlikely that the Visa applications will be all finalised prior to the expiry on the 31st December 2017 but the Minister has made the Declaration that if the holder of the ZDP Visa has proof with him or her that they have indeed applied for the ZEP Visa then they can travel with that original receipt coupled to their passport.

As was the case with the previous exemptions, the holder of such exemption may not apply for change of status from within South Africa to another type of Visa.

A very exciting and fresh development is that with the new ZEP the holder of a valid ZDP Visa may indeed apply, if they qualify, such as in the critical skills Visa list, for a change of their status in order to enable them to apply from within the country for a mainstream Visa such as the critical skills work Visa.

Hereunder is a link to the critical skills Visa list so that potential candidates and applicants for such a Visa could apply their minds to determining whether they indeed qualify.

https://www.immigration-sa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/JPA-Critical-Skills-List.pdf

Please feel free to e-mail our office at enquiries@immigration.org.za with any queries you may have.