ZimpassortZSP

South African visa solutions for ZSP spouses

Many Zimbabweans holding ZSP’s have settled down and made South Africa a home for themselves and their families, without acquiring a legal South African visa or permit before the end of 2017, they will have to give up their lives here and return to their Zimbabwe.

The process for Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) holders converting to visas and permits can be lengthily, especially due to the high influx of applications leading up to the expiry of all ZSP’s in December 2017.

A solution

For Zimbabwean nationals holding ZSP’s that have subsequently married a South African citizen, the spousal visa has become a very viable option to live and work legally in the country.

This visa type also allows for the application of a work endorsement.

The added challenge is that submissions for change of status from ZSP need to take place in the holder’s country of origin.

The South African application centre in Zimbabwe indicates that the processing time for this visa type is 6 to 8 weeks.

Note that ZSP visas hold a condition that does not allow holders to apply for permanent residence.

View the VFS global Zimbabwe site for people applying for South African visas here.

Rumours of an extension

Rumours flying around the media that South African Development Community (SADC) will push to implement a SADC work visa and are pending its’ approval, and the announcement of this will be made in early 2017.

However, this has yet to be confirmed and remains just a rumour at this stage.

Read more about the rumour here.

Best advice

If you are currently in South Africa on a ZSP, it is our best advice to you to use this time to find a long-term non-restrictive visa solution to enable you to stay in the country legally and keep ZSP’s or similar as a last resort.

Speak to a professional now

Contact Le Roux Attorneys, South African Visa specialists about your visa application. Start by selecting one of the enquiry options below

Posted in blog, Fall in love with SA, Live In SA, Work in SA.

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