The Department of Home Affairs has issued a statement outlining the visa and immigration measures that will be applicable for Level 1 lockdown in South Africa.

Firstly, the Department has extended the validity period of legally issued visas which expired during the lockdown period until the 31 January 2021. This will enable the holders of such visas to remain in South Africa under the conditions of their visas until that date. Otherwise such visa holders may elect to depart South Africa before the 31^st January 2021, and will not be declared undesirable persons despite the fact that their visas have expired.

The Department further addressed the list of restricted countries from which leisure travelers would not be permitted. Leisure travelers from the following countries will not be allowed into South Africa:

• Albania ​​​
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil ​​​ ​​​​
• Chile
• ​​​Columbia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia 
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• France​​​
• Georgia ​
• Greece
• Guatemala ​
• Guyana​​​
• Honduras
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Iran
• ​​​Iraq
• Ireland
• Israel
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Luxemburg ​​
• Maldives
• Malta
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Montenegro ​​​
• Nepal ​​
• Netherlands 
• North Macedonia
• Oman
• Palestine
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru ​​​
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar
• Romania
• Russia
• Slovakia
• Suriname
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• ​​​United Emirates
• United Kingdom              ​
• USA
• Venezuela​

It is important to note that it is only leisure travelers that are not allowed from the above list of countries. The above list will be reviewed every two weeks.

Applications for business travel to South Africa from the list of restricted countries will however be allowed with immediate effect. Such applications must be made in writing to the Minister of Home Affairs, and must demonstrate reasons for their request to enter South Africa for business purposes.

Such applications must be directed to email Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za and supported by:

1. a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa;
2. ​proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic;  
3. proof of travel itinerary; and
4. proof of address or accommodation in the Republic.

Additional visa services will also resume in the following categories:

• Visitor’s visa;
• study visa;
• treaty visa;
• business visa;
• crew visa;
• medical treatment visa;
• relative’s visa;
• general work visa;
• critical skills work visa;
• intra-company transfer work visa;
• retired person visa;
• corporate visa;
• exchange visa;
• waiver of prescribed requirement, as contemplated in section 31(2)(c); and
• appeals or reviews contemplated in section 8 of the Immigration Act.

Should you have any questions or require any advice with regards to the above please do not hesitate to contact us.