Newsflash: ZEP and LEP extended a further 18 months: A lifeline for foreign nationals working in SA
The South African Department of Home Affairs has officially extended the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) and Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEP) until 28 May 2027. This extension was announced on 7 October 2025 through Ministers Immigration Directives No. 20 and No. 21 of 2025, respectively, under the powers of section 312b of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
The ZEP and LEP were introduced to provide certain exemptions from the usual visa requirements for Zimbabwean and Lesotho nationals residing and working in South Africa. These permits allowed holders to remain and work legally in South Africa despite not holding standard visas, offering a form of protected status amidst the complex immigration challenges faced by these neighbouring country nationals. The original permits were issued with specific validity periods, requiring renewal or extensions at intervals.
- The current expiration of these exemption permits was 28 November 2025. With the extension, all existing ZEP and LEP holders will have their permits deemed valid for an additional 18 months beyond this date.
- No holder of these exemptions may be arrested, detained, deported, or ordered to depart South Africa due to the lack of a valid exemption certificate during this extended period.
- Holders are allowed to enter and exit South Africa under the exemptions without being required to produce a valid exemption certificate or visa.
- The Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), appointed in April 2025, is consulting on long-term solutions for permit holders.
Employers currently employing Zimbabwean and Lesotho nationals under these exemption permits benefit significantly from this extension:
- Employers can confidently retain workers without fear of sudden permit expiration or legal challenges related to the employees’ immigration status.
- It provides stability in workforce planning and continuity without immediate need to seek alternative permit or visa arrangements.
- Employers must remain attentive to upcoming consultations that may affect permit status in the longer term but can, for now, continue operations with these employees under a clear legal framework.
- The extension supports employers in compliance with immigration laws by ensuring their workers remain legally exempt from usual visa conditions.
For inquiries regarding these permits and extensions, employers and permit holders may contact the Department of Home Affairs at the provided contact centre.
This extension effectively safeguards permit holders and their employers from immigration enforcement actions related to permit validity until May 2027, ensuring continuity and legal certainty for an estimated 54,653 Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) holders and around 178,000 Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders currently living and working in South Africa.
View the official government communication below:
