The employment law team from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has stated that Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders are legally permitted to work in South Africa until December 31st, 2023, even if their applications for other visas are not successful. Said Taryn York, a member of the team:

You are still legally allowed to work and live in South Africa even if your application is unsuccessful, you can still work until that time [31 December].

That will also give you enough time to apply for an appeal against the outcome of your visa depending on the reasons it was rejected. So, they [ZEP holders] would not need to leave immediately.

One of the benefits of this extension is for ZEP holders to try to obtain an alternative mainstream visa in terms of the Immigration Act. Alternative visas include your general work visa which could be granted for a period of up to five years, the critical skills visa, also granted for a period up to five years.

ZEP holders can also consider applying for a spousal visa or a relative’s visa. They can also consider applying for a study visa, which would still allow them to work in South Africa but there would be a limitation on the number of hours they would be allowed to work a week, which is currently capped at 20 hours a week.

The South African government extended the ZEP, which has allowed tens of thousands of Zimbabweans to live, work, and study in South Africa since 2009, by six months to December due to a wave of visa and waiver applications....

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