New Zimbabwean Permits for South Africa
On August 28, 2014 / Leave a comment
The Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project (DZP) allowed Zimbabweans with valid passports to apply for special permits in order to legalise their stay in South Africa, provided that they could submit proof of either: employment, conducting business or attending an accredited learning institution. Applicants also needed to prove that they had a clear criminal record. Out of the 295 000 Zimbabweans who applied for this permit, 245 000 applicants were successful.
These DZP permits were originally issued for 4 years and after lengthy discussions, the Department of Home Affairs granted Zimbabwean nationals the opportunity to apply for 3 years extensions. However, it has also decreed that all DZP visas will expire on the 31st of December 2014, even those which were originally endorsed until 2016.
Going forward the new dispensation will be referred to as the Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP) . Applications for the ZSP will start on 1 October 2014, end on 31 December 2014. These permits will then be valid until 31 December 2017. All applications will be managed by VFS Global and will be adjudicated by the Department of Home Affairs.
In order to cater for the large quantity of applicants, four new VFS centres will be opening across the country. These centres will be in addition to the eleven offices that are already up and running, all of which will be dealing with the new ZSP applications. The administrative fee that will be charged for the services at VFS is yet to be determined.
In addition to the ZSP’s three year validity, Zimbabweans who would like to continue their stay in South Africa after its expiry, will have to return to Zimbabwe in order to apply for permits in terms of the Immigration Act.
Lara Horne
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