Further amendments relating to the entry into and exit out of South Africa during the national state of disaster have been published by the Department of Home Affairs. Previous to such amendments the regulations only provided that South African citizens or Permanent Residents could return to South Africa while the country remained in a state of disaster.

The Directions published on the 3^rd July 2020 now provide that long term temporary residence visa holders may make an application to the Minister of Home Affairs to return to South Africa. Most importantly, such application must demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” for their request to enter South Africa.

Accordingly, foreigners that are the holders of long term temporary residence visas, such as intra company transfer visas, critical skills visas, general work visas, spousal visas etc. may now make an application to return to South Africa whilst the country remains in a state of national disaster.

The application must include the following requirements:

• Detailed explanation showing exceptional circumstances for their request to return
• Copy of temporary residence visa
• Copy of main bio page of Passport

In the event of the application being approved the foreigner will be required to submit to prescribed screening and quarantine measures.