Cape Town – Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has announced the extension of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP).
The announcement, made on 7 October 2025, extends the validity of the said permit until 28 May 2027, in terms of Section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
Dr Schreiber confirmed that he appointed the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) with immediate effect from 1 April 2025. Since then, he has met with the IAB on several occasions to discuss future and long-term solutions for ZEP holders.
Dr Schreiber also emphasised that critical stakeholders will need to be involved in a consultation process.
ZEP Extended Until 28 May 2027
South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, announced on 7 October 2025 the extension of both the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs) and Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEPs).
The new directive extends the validity of all ZEPs until 28 May… pic.twitter.com/c2ktoqxs6G
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) October 8, 2025
Pending the conclusion of these consultations, he directed that:
Existing ZEPs will remain valid for an additional 18 months after the current expiry date of 28 November 2025.
Holders of ZEPs may not be ordered to depart, detained, or deported under section 34 of the Immigration Act for any reason related to not having a valid exemption certificate.
ZEP holders may enter or depart from South Africa under section 9 of the Immigration Act, read together with the Immigration Regulations, 2014, provided they meet all other entry and departure requirements, except for the lack of a valid visa in their passport.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
