On October 2, 2026, the Minister of Home Affairs issued a blanket waiver of regulations 9(8)(c) and 9(5)(a) of the immigration regulations which require that applications for extension or change of status or condition be submitted no less than 60 days before the expiration date of the existing visa.
The waiver covers all such applications which are still pending adjudication; all appeal applications that are still pending, and which are based on the fact that the visa extension was not submitted at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the existing visa; and all future such applications.
The waiver is granted on condition that the visa extension or change of status or condition application is submitted while the existing visa is still valid.
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