Zimbabwe and Lesotho Exemption Permits Extended to 2027

Posted 08 October 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Home Affairs

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Minister of Home Affairs has issued directives extending the validity of exemption permits for Zimbabwean and Lesotho nationals until 28 May 2027. This extension provides temporary legal status for permit holders while a formal consultation process is undertaken.

In terms of the Immigration Act, No. 13 of 2002, the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has extended the validity of the following permit categories to 28 May 2027:

  • Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP); and
  • Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEP).

The extension follows the appointment of an Immigration Advisory Board in April 2025. The Minister has indicated that critical stakeholders will be included in a consultation process to resolve the long-term status of permit holders. This process is intended to address the legal and social implications of the special dispensation programmes that have been in place for over a decade.

Background and Regulatory Context

The Zimbabwean exemption programme has evolved through several iterations, including the special dispensation granted in 2014 and the subsequent exemption permits introduced in 2017. These measures were originally designed to regularise the status of Zimbabwean nationals who had fled instability in their home country.

The Lesotho exemption system was introduced in 2015. According to previous ministerial statements, the system was implemented to ease the burden on South Africa’s asylum seeker infrastructure by providing a legal pathway for economic migrants from Lesotho who were previously undocumented or using the asylum system inappropriately.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Ensure that all legal advice and compliance audits regarding residency and work authorisation for ZEP and LEP holders reflect the new expiry date of 28 May 2027.
  • For your business: Update payroll and HR compliance systems to ensure that Zimbabwean and Lesotho employees with these specific permits are not flagged for expired work rights, avoiding unnecessary termination or suspension of contracts.
  • For your clients: Advise affected clients that while their status is secured until May 2027, they must remain compliant with existing permit conditions and should monitor the upcoming consultation process led by the Immigration Advisory Board.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/immigration-zimbabwe-lesotho-special-permits-extended

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