30 JUNE 2023 DEADLINE
LAST CHANCE TO REGULARISE YOUR STATUS. ACT NOW!
Skilled Zimbabwean Permit Holders
Apply for a mainstream visa category or speak to us about your options.
I AM A ZEP HOLDER
& WORK IN SA
Let's start your visa application.
Unsure? Let's discuss your options.
I AM A ZEP HOLDER
& RESIDE IN SA
I AM AN EMPLOYER OF ZEP EMPLOYEES
Let's start the process!
Unsure about your next steps? Let's start with an audit and discuss your options.
I AM A SKILLED ZEP HOLDER & WORK IN SA
I AM A SKILLED ZEP HOLDER
& RESIDE IN SA
I AM AN EMPLOYER
OF ZEP EMPLOYEES
Let's start the process!
Unsure about your options? Let's start with an audit and discuss next steps.
In partnership with South Africa’s largest independent immigration practice.
Xpatweb has obtained over 2,000 work visas in the past 3 years of the same special category announced by the Minister as suitable for ZEP holders.
As a provider of specialist work visa services to some of South Africa’s largest corporates and families you can expect premium assistance from our team of specialists on direction and clarification on the correct process to follow.
From visa application to assistance in obtaining all the supporting documents required. The entire process was handled with such efficiency and professionalism. Choose Xpatweb, and have ease of mind throughout the entire process.
Current ZEP Status
Previous announcement
On 25 November 2021, the Cabinet announced that no further concession will be allowed and as such ZEP holders will no longer be able to extend their permits in terms of this special dispensation. The Department of Home Affairs has granted a 12-month grace period from the current ZEP expiry to allow permit holders to apply for a visa in a different category to allow them to legally reside in the country.
In an announcement made on 7 June 2023, the Minister of the Department of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, announced a last chance for a further 6-month grace period until 31 December 2023 to allow ZEP holders to regularize their status by applying for a mainstream visa category. Details of this announcement was shared in various media sources.
Latest update
In an announcement made on 7 June 2023, the Minister of the Department of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, announced a last chance for a further 6-month grace period until 31 December 2023 to allow ZEP holders to regularize their status by applying for a mainstream visa category.
Details of this announcement was shared in various media sources.
WE ASSIST THE FOLLOWING ZEP HOLDERS AND TO ALIGN WITH THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS ANNOUNCED RECOMMENDATIONS
- Standard Bank clients, as we have a commitment to the bank to ensure compliant banking of its permit holder customers.
- Large corporates who need an exercise to determine the validity of ZEP holders, as well as roadmap to give them a sustainable path in South Africa.
- Special cases for our group’s High Net Worth or Affluent Families, who understands the complexity and resources required to obtain Ministerial exemption (of which we have obtained a number of such special approvals, including for our own Zimbabwean staff).
THE CHALLENGE WITH ZEP PERMITS IS OTHERWISE EFFECTIVELY AT THREE LEVELS
- There are many ZEP “holders” who have been issued with false papers. These ZEP holders are often under the false impression that they were legally assisted, so they are examples of the most vulnerable being victims.
- The costs for the DHA process, especially the VFS process, is often unaffordable for ZEP holders who do not hold large qualifications or is business critical.
- There are a number of court cases, which will play out over the coming months or even years, which will change the dynamics.
