PRETORIA – South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has issued Immigration Directive No. 7 of 2026, extending temporary concessions for foreign nationals affected by visa processing delays until 30 June 2027.
The directive, signed by Minister of Home Affairs Dr LA Schreiber on 30 March 2026, applies to applicants whose waiver, long term visa and appeal applications were already submitted on or before 30 March 2026 and were still pending on that date.
According to the department, the measure follows progress made in reducing backlogs since Immigration Directive No. 22 of 2025 and ongoing efforts to modernise systems through the Electronic Travel Authorisation platform, which is being rolled out to improve efficiency. 
The extension covers waiver applicants whose outcomes remain pending. These individuals are granted a temporary extension until 30 June 2027 to allow the department to finalise their cases and enable successful applicants to apply for appropriate visas. Those who choose to abandon their waiver applications may depart South Africa on or before 30 June 2027 without being declared undesirable under section 30(1)(h) of the Immigration Act.
Long term visa applicants under sections 11(1)(b) to 20, including section 22 of the Immigration Act, whose applications remain pending as of 30 March 2026, will also have their current visa status extended until 30 June 2027. However, they may not engage in activities outside the conditions of their existing visas.
Appeal applicants who lodged appeals in terms of section 8(4) or 8(6) of the Immigration Act following a negative decision on long term visa applications are equally covered by the extension until 30 June 2027. They must present a copy of the rejection letter together with proof of appeal submission when departing or re entering South Africa.
The directive allows affected applicants to travel and return to South Africa up to and including 30 June 2027 without being declared undesirable, provided they can prove lawful entry and produce a valid VFS Global receipt. Applicants from countries that are not visa exempt must obtain a port of entry visa before returning if they travel while their applications are pending.
The concession does not apply to permanent residence applicants, who are required to maintain valid legal status while awaiting outcomes.
Applicants who lodged appeals following the refusal of a visitor visa extension under section 11(1)(a), and whose appeals have been pending for more than three months, are excluded from the concession. They must depart South Africa on or before 30 April 2026 and will not be declared undesirable if they comply.
The department stated that the temporary measures cease immediately once an outcome is issued, and applicants must comply with the conditions of the decision without delay.
