South Africa clears visa backlog and extends concessions

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has officially cleared its massive backlog of over 306,000 visa and permit applications. To keep things moving smoothly while they tackle the remaining pile of waivers and appeals, the government issued Immigration Directive No. 22 of 2025, which protects the legal status of foreign nationals currently in limbo.

Who is covered by the extension

This update is a relief for expats, digital nomads, and long-term travelers who have pending paperwork. If you applied for a waiver or are appealing a visa refusal, your legal status is now automatically extended until March 31, 2026. This prevents you from being declared "undesirable" while waiting for the DHA to make a final decision.

The extension specifically applies to:

• Waiver applicants who need to bypass certain visa requirements.
• Visa appellants fighting a previous rejection for work, study, or spouse visas.
• Corporate employees whose companies are part of the Trusted Employer Scheme.

Travel rules and requirements

You can still travel in and out of South Africa during this period. When passing through border control, you must carry a VFS receipt or official acknowledgment of your pending application. This serves as proof that you are in the country legally.

Keep in mind that while your stay is protected, you cannot change your activity. You must continue to abide by the conditions of your original visa. If you had a legacy application submitted before March 7, 2024, that is still outstanding, the DHA recommends contacting them directly to finalize the process.

These nomad news updates signal a major shift toward digital transformation under the current ministry. With the backlog gone, the DHA is now focusing on faster turnaround times, including a 180-day goal for appeal outcomes.

Read our full South Africa guide for the complete picture.