The South African Department of Home Affairs has officially extended the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) for another 12 months, up to November 28, 2025, to comply with a Gauteng High Court order requiring consultation with stakeholders on the future of the ZEP programme.
According to the Minister’s Immigration Directive No 15 of 2024:
- No holder of a ZEP may be arrested, ordered to depart or be detained for deportation or deported for any reason related to not having any valid exemption certificate;
- ZEP holders can enter and leave South Africa provided they meet the other immigration requirements, except for the requirement to hold a valid visa.
- ZEP holders are not required to show exemption certificates when applying for a temporary visa under section 10(2) of the Immigration Act.
The ZEP allows Zimbabwean nationals to live, work and study in South Africa if they meet certain conditions.
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