South Africa extends special permits for Zimbabweans by four years

CONDITIONS OF THE NEW ZIMBABWEAN EXEMPTION PERMIT DISPENSATION

• Entitles the holder to work/ study and/or conduct business.
• Does not entitle the holder the right to apply for permanent residence irrespective of the period of stay in the Republic of South Africa.
• Will not be renewable / extendable.
• Does not allow a holder to change conditions of his/her permit while in South Africa.
• ZSP permit holders who wish to convert their status to any other mainstream visa should apply timeously for such visa from within SA provided they meet all the requirements for that visa.
• A ZSP applicant will be allowed to travel using the ZEP receipt and the expired ZSP permit until such time as the ZEP permit is issued, without being declared undesirable.

Implementation of ZEP is as follows:

• The new Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) project will begin on 15 September 2017.
• The ZEP is open for valid ZSP permit-holders only.
• We advise prospective applicants to submit applications online, from 15 September 2017, through the VFS website: www.vfsglobal.com/ZEP/SouthAfrica/com
• Cut-off date for submission of applications is 30 November 2017.
• An administrative fee of R1090 will be charged.
• ZEP permits will be issued for a maximum period of Four (4) years, effective from 01 January 2018 and expiring on 31 December 2021, notwithstanding the date of application.
• Thereafter applicants will be allocated appointments for the required submission of fingerprints and supporting documents to VFS, from 01 October 2017. The relevant VFS offices are listed at the end of the statement.
• An applicant will be required to submit the following:
  • A valid Zimbabwean passport.
  • Evidence of employment – in the case of an application for work rights.
  • Evidence of business – in the case of an application for business rights.
  • Evidence of an admission letter from a recognised learning institution –in the case of an application for study rights.

CONCLUSION

I trust that the ZEP will go a long way in assisting the Zimbabweans to rebuild their lives as they prepare, at work, in business and in educational institutions, for their final return to their sovereign state – Zimbabwe – in the near future.

I thank you.

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