Important notice regarding the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) visa backlog

The International Office is aware of the confusion regarding the DHA directive on pending applications. Please note the following key points:

1. The directive was not addressed to universities.
2. The directive addressed South African government departments, provincial inspectorate visa facilitation centres, the commissioner and ports of entry. The directive pertains to specific visa categories and aims to address the DHA visa backlog.
3. The temporary extension mentioned in the directive applies only to pending visa applications that were submitted by 30 November 2023.
4. Only pending visa renewals submitted by 30 November 2023 have been extended to 30 June 2024.
5. The acting director has approved the temporary extension of expired visas for those with VFS receipts, allowing them to legally remain in South Africa during the pending application period.

Download Circular DHA-57 from the Department of Home Affairs website.

For further details or clarification for inbound international students, please contact the International Office at visa-immigration@uct.ac.za.

For staff queries concerning work visas, including critical skills work visas, general work visas and visitors’ visas permitting work activities (eg spousal/research visas) please reach out to Ms Cheryl Samuel in the UCT Human Resources Appointments Office.