Home Affairs extends deadline for foreign national awaiting application outcomes

Johnathan Paoli

Newly-appointed Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber has extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals who are currently awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver and appeal applications.

Home Affairs informed the media on Thursday, with ministerial spokesperson Siyabulela Qoza saying the intended extension would serve to safeguard applicants from suffering adverse consequences or being erroneously declared undesirable while awaiting the outcome of applications submitted to the Department.

“The decision to avert adverse consequences for applicants who seek to obtain lawful visas in order to contribute to South Africa, either through their skills or as tourists, signals the Minister’s commitment to improving the visa system to make South Africa a more attractive destination for international investment, tourism and job creation,” Qoza said.

The delays of processing are reportedly a result of the Department attempting to reduce backlogs, with the spokesperson saying that despite progress being made, there remained a