South Africa Extends Zimbabwe Exemption Permits by 18 Months

The South African government has brought much-needed relief and clarity to tens of thousands of Zimbabwean nationals living and working in the country by extending the validity of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) for an additional 18 months.

The announcement was made through a Government Gazette notice issued on 7 October 2025 by the Department of Home Affairs, under the name of Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. L. A. Schreiber, MP.

According to the notice  Minister’s Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025  all existing ZEPs, which were originally due to expire on 28 November 2025, will now remain valid until 28 May 2027.

“The extension ensures that ZEP holders continue to enjoy legal residence and work status in South Africa while the government finalizes consultations on a long-term migration framework.

Pending the conclusion of consultations, the directive states, the validity of permits issued in terms of Section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act, 2002, shall be extended until 28 May 2027,” said Minister Schreiber.

Minister Schreiber explained that the decision follows detailed discussions by the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), which was appointed in April 2025.

“The board has been tasked with recommending sustainable policy options for managing the status of ZEP holders — many of whom have lived in South Africa for more than a decade,” he stated.

The ZEP scheme, first introduced in 2009 as the Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project (DZP), was designed to regularize the stay of Zimbabweans who had migrated to South Africa due to economic and political instability back home. The permit has since undergone several renewals and policy adjustments.

Human rights and migrant advocacy groups have welcomed the extension, describing it as a “positive and humane” step that prevents mass displacement and uncertainty for thousands of families. However, they have also called for a clear, permanent resolution to the long-standing issue.

The South African government has emphasised that the latest extension is part of a broader effort to reform immigration policy to balance national interests, legal compliance, and humanitarian considerations.