Special provisions have been introduced in order to cater for the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the lockdown that has been instituted in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a lockdown last week which shall apply from the 27^th March 2020 until the 16^th April 2020.

The Department of Home Affairs published a Directive last week that was applicable to foreign nationals that are presently in South Africa. The Directive provides the following:

• A foreign person may apply to renew their visa even though they may not be within the normal time constraints that apply. For example, for the extension of a Visitors Visa the application would normally have to be submitted no less than 60 days prior to the expiry date of the applicant’s visa. The 60 days period no longer applies during this lockdown period.
• A foreigner can submit an extension application even though their visa may have already expired.
• Visas valid until the 31 July 2020 may be issued to such applicants.
• The above applies provided that the applicant meets all the prescribed requirements.
• In the event of an applicant not being able to meet all of the prescribed requirements then they may apply for a waiver of the relevant prescribed requirements.

In compliance with the lockdown the Visa Facilitation Service Centres (VFS) in South Africa have now closed.

Applications can be made once VFS offices have reopened, and applicants whose visas have expired during that time will not be penalised or have to undergo a legalisation process.

Applicants that have appointments scheduled that fall within the lockdown period should reschedule their appointments for after the lockdown period. It is presumed that VFS will open again on the 17^th April 2020.

Please contact us should you need any assistance with regards to the above.