28 Apr Can You Stay in SA While Waiting for a Visa?

You’re currently visiting South Africa for an extended stay, and you’ve made sure to submit your visa application. However, the process is taking longer than expected, and your current visa is about to expire. What now?

It is generally permitted for foreign nationals to stay in South Africa while waiting for the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to process their visa application. South African immigration law requires applicants to submit a new visa application at least 60 days before their current visa expires. Understandably, this creates the impression that the DHA will issue a decision before the visa becomes invalid.

Although the DHA has made significant progress in reducing its massive backlog, there are still numerous foreign nationals waiting for an outcome on their applications.

Hence, the DHA’s latest concession extension has extended the validity of temporary visas as a means to provide some relief for those still waiting for an outcome.

Important Rules to Know When Waiting on a Visa

According to the Immigration Directive No. 7 of 2026, temporary legal status for foreign nationals has been extended until 30 June 2027. This applies to visa applications that were submitted through VFS Global on or before 30 March 2026. This extension applies to long-term visa, waiver, and visa appeal applications.

It is also important to note that short-term visitor visas, permanent residence and recent visa appeal applications do not fall under the extension and require that these visas be kept valid at all times.

While staying in South Africa, waiting for your pending visa, it is vital that you are able to provide proof of your application. Hence, you must possess a VFS Global receipt confirming that your application was submitted before your current visa expired.

Applicants should note that they are not permitted to engage in any activities other than what their current visa conditions provide for while they wait. Once applicants have received an answer, the concessions under this Directive will cease immediately, and applicants will be required to comply with the conditions of the outcome.

What Happens if I travel on a receipt and I am not covered by a Concession Document

If you have a receipt of application, but are not covered by a concession document and do not have a valid visa in your passport, you will be declared an undesirable person in terms of section 30(1)(h) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, as amended. It is therefore not advisable to travel on a receipt of application, unless specifically covered by Immigration Directive No. 7 of 2026.

Are you struggling to obtain an outcome on your visa application from the DHA? At June Luna Immigration Attorneys, our expert team of legal professionals can assist you in obtaining a timely outcome on your application through direct communication with the DHA and, if necessary, litigation.

CONTACT our team today and let our team of experienced immigration lawyers guide you through this process.