Home affairs extends work, study and business visas until after lockdown

The department of home affairs has temporarily extended the visas of foreign nationals during the national lockdown.

In a statement on Tuesday, the department said that immigrants whose visas expired from mid-February would not be penalised.

“Any person whose visa expired before or during the lockdown will not be arrested or detained. Those who opt to return to their countries of origin or residence after the lockdown instead of renewing their visas will not be declared undesirable upon departure,” read the statement.

These temporary measures exempt foreign nationals who applied for work, study or business permits before the lockdown from expelled when the lockdown ends.

“Immigrants who submitted their applications before the lockdown, but their applications are still pending, will be allowed to work, study or conduct business after the lockdown while waiting for the outcome of their applications,” the department said.

Although legal immigrants get the exemption to continue to work and stay in the country, those who were issued visas from high risk countries would not be allowed into the country.

The high risk countries include the US, Italy, Spain, Germany, China, France, Iran, the UK, Switzerland and Turkey.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended all flights in and out of the country which left tourists and immigrants stranded in the country.

Travellers from medium-risk countries such as Portugal, Hong Kong and Singapore, were also barred from entering the South Africa.

The US and Germany have since repatriated some of their citizens, however those left behind will have to wait for the next repatriation call.

On Tuesday, home affairs said that immigrants that have not communicated with their countries about being repatriated would not be allowed to leave the country.

Holders of asylum seeker permit whose visas expired since March 16 would also not be penalised.

“Any asylum seeker whose visa expired from March 16 2020 to the end of the lockdown period will not be penalised or arrested provided that they legalise their visa within 30 calendar days of the lockdown being lifted,” the department said.

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