The Department of Home Affairs has extended the submission of supporting documents and biometrics for Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) holders who have completed their online applications, to 31 January 2018.
This, according to the department was due to the large number of the ZSP permit-holders who have completed the online applications.
Addressing the media in Tshwane on Friday, Director-General Mkuseli Apleni said to date 169 078 have completed their applications online and 135 913 have scheduled their appointments.
“By the end of September 2018, we should have completed the whole project, including finalising adjudications and issuing the new permits.
“ZSP holders are therefore urged to still complete their applications online, make the necessary payment and schedule an appointment by 30 November 2017 at any of the VFS Global offices,” Apleni said.
The ZSP started in 2014 and was issued for a period of three years to allow Zimbabwean nationals to work, study or conduct business in South Africa. The ZSP will expire on 31 December 2017.
According to Apleni, the total number of ZSP permits issued so far is 197 941.
Apleni explained that there is no requirement for ZSP holders to apply for permits outside South Africa.
“They can apply for mainstream permits in the country. ZSP holders who want to travel outside South Africa for the festive season will be able to do so. They only need to produce their passports with the ZSP stickers and their Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) application receipts,” Apleni said.
Apleni emphasised that the extension to 31 January 2018 is only for scheduling of appointments for the purpose of submitting biometrics and supporting documents at any VFS offices.
Zimbabweans are advised that they can visit any of these VFS offices for their applications:
- Durban - Musgrave towers, Musgrave Shopping mall, 5th Floor Musgrave, Durban
- Cape Town, 2 Long street, 7th Floor, Cape Town
- Port Elizabeth, Office 7C, 1st floor Moffet and Main, Corner 17th Ave & Main Road, Walmer, Port Elizabeth
- Johannesburg, The Link, Old Pretoria Road, Half Way House, Midrand
- Rustenburg, Cnr of Boom and Fatima Bayet street, Rustenberg
- Kimberly, Unit 3 Building 2, Agri Office Park, N12 Kimberly,
- Polokwane, Thornhill Shopping Centre, Veldspaat and Munnik Avenue Bendor Park, Polokwane
- Nelspruit, Office 5 F, Nedbank Building, 30 Brown Street, Nelspruit
- Bloemfontein, Suite 4, The Park, 14 Reid Street Westdene, Bloemfontein
- George , Unit 5 Eagle View , Progress Street, George
– SAnews.gov.za
