South Africa — In a significant development for thousands of Zimbabwean nationals, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has issued an immigration directive extending the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) until 28 May 2027.
The ZEP, which allows an estimated 178,000 Zimbabweans to live, work, and study lawfully in South Africa, was initially set to expire on 28 November 2025. The extension provides permit holders with additional time and legal certainty while broader immigration reforms are underway.
In a statement, Minister Schreiber said the decision was made to ensure an “orderly and fair process” in dealing with the status of ZEP holders.
“This extension offers stability to Zimbabwean nationals who have lived in South Africa for years, while also allowing government to align immigration policies with constitutional principles and economic realities,” he explained.
The ZEP programme was introduced in 2017 as a continuation of previous special dispensation permits aimed at regularising the stay of Zimbabweans who migrated to South Africa during periods of political and economic instability in their home country.
Human rights groups and immigration experts have welcomed the decision, noting that it gives affected families more time to plan their futures, apply for alternative visas where applicable, or regularise their status through other legal pathways.
The Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized that the extension does not grant permanent residency or citizenship but ensures that ZEP holders remain legally protected while long-term solutions are considered.
This announcement marks a notable shift in South Africa’s immigration policy landscape, especially as debates around migration, labour rights, and regional cooperation continue to intensify.
Ayesha Nyanzunda
South Africa — In a significant development for thousands of Zimbabwean nationals, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has issued an immigration directive extending the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) until 28 May 2027.
The ZEP, which allows an estimated 178,000 Zimbabweans to live, work, and study lawfully in South Africa, was initially set to expire on 28 November 2025. The extension provides permit holders with additional time and legal certainty while broader immigration reforms are underway.
In a statement, Minister Schreiber said the decision was made to ensure an “orderly and fair process” in dealing with the status of ZEP holders.
“This extension offers stability to Zimbabwean nationals who have lived in South Africa for years, while also allowing government to align immigration policies with constitutional principles and economic realities,” he explained.
The ZEP programme was introduced in 2017 as a continuation of previous special dispensation permits aimed at regularising the stay of Zimbabweans who migrated to South Africa during periods of political and economic instability in their home country.
Human rights groups and immigration experts have welcomed the decision, noting that it gives affected families more time to plan their futures, apply for alternative visas where applicable, or regularise their status through other legal pathways.
The Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized that the extension does not grant permanent residency or citizenship but ensures that ZEP holders remain legally protected while long-term solutions are considered.
This announcement marks a notable shift in South Africa’s immigration policy landscape, especially as debates around migration, labour rights, and regional cooperation continue to intensify.