Home Affairs Extends Zimbabwean Exemption Permits Until May 2027

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Zimbabwean nationals living and working in South Africa under the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) programme have been given a significant reprieve. The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has officially announced an extension of the ZEP’s validity until 28 May 2027.

The decision, published in Government Gazette No. 53484 on 7 October 2025, follows ongoing deliberations by the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), which was appointed earlier this year to advise on the future of the exemption programme. The extension grants ZEP holders an additional 18 months beyond the current expiry date of 28 November 2025, providing crucial legal certainty while consultations continue.

“The IAB has met on several occasions and considered both immediate and long-term solutions for ZEP holders. Critical stakeholders still need to be part of the consultation process,” said Dr Schreiber.

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In terms of the Minister’s directive, ZEP holders will continue to enjoy key protections under South African law during this period:

• They cannot be arrested, detained, or deported solely for not having a valid exemption certificate.
• They are permitted to enter and exit South Africa provided they meet all other entry and departure requirements.
• They are not required to present a valid exemption certificate when applying for a visa or temporary residence permit in South Africa.

The ZEP programme, established under Section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act, has allowed thousands of Zimbabwean nationals to live and work legally in South Africa since its inception in 2010. The latest extension is intended to give government and stakeholders more time to explore sustainable immigration policy solutions.