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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Fourteenth Amendment Directions : Temporary measures in respect of Entry into or Exit out of the Republic to prevent the spread of COVID-19

12. Visa Concessions for Foreigners inside the Republic

 

12.1 A foreigner who is inside the Republic, during the period of a national state of disaster, and who entered the Republic since 15 February 2020, or before that date, and who originates from a high risk country, and who, for reasons related to the pandemic, may not be able to return to his or her country of origin during this period, is entitled to visa concessions that may be determined by the Minister in order to enable such a foreigner to remain in the country for such period as may be determined by the Minister having regard to the existing state of affairs relating to the pandemic.

 

12.2 The visa concessions contemplated  in paragraph 12.1 are applicable to the foreigners referred to in paragraph 12.1 who hold valid temporary residence visas that are due to expire, and must include those whose visas have expired during this period. The foreigners contemplated herein must be allowed to re-apply for their respective visas or a relevant visa exemption without the need to first obtain authorisation in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 to remain in the country.

 

12.3 The applicants referred to in paragraph 12.2 may be issued with visas valid until 30 April 2022, as the date until which the validity of visas and permits is extended and the date until which a person holding such visa or permit may leave the Republic without being declared as undesirable, respectively.

 

The extension of the validity of visas or permits referred to in paragraph 2.1 applies to—

(a) to holders of asylum seeker permits and refugee status which expired during the period of national state of disaster; and
(b) A holder of a visa or permit must adhere to the terms and conditions of his or her visa and any activity not endorsed onto such visa or permits is prohibited.

[Direction 12(12.3) substituted by section 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 of Notice No. 1800, GG45961, dated 25 February 2022]

 

12.4 A person whose visitor's visa, issued in terms of section 11(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 has reached its maximum validity period and is technically not renewable will be allowed to apply for the same visa with the same terms and conditions for a period not exceeding 90 days. No Change of status or conditions will be allowed.