COVID-19| What Foreign Nationals In South Africa Need To Know

Coronavirus | What foreign nationals in South Africa need to know

With the South African government previously revoking over 8000 visas from China and Iran, a new directive has been released that brings a change to all foreign nationals, who are already in South Africa.

As of the 18th of March 2020, the South African Government has announced a new immigration Directive No 07 of 2020. This brings good news to foreign nationals in South Africa, as you no longer have to stress or worry if you are allowed to re-apply for visa in South Africa during the coronavirus pandemic.  For those that wish to re-apply their visa, we at Black Pen can assist with your visa needs with our immigration lawyers being fully hands-on and available.

To all foreign nationals in South Africa the new directive highlights the following:

1. All foreign nationals who is already in South Africa on a temporary work visa, and originate from a country that is affected by COVID-19 or who needs to transit through a country that is affected by COVID-19, to reach their country of origin, may apply to have their visa renewed. Re-applying can be done for everyone’s visa which is close to expiring who which is already expired, given that you meet the requirements
2. All foreign nationals who are in South Africa on a temporary residence visa ( which expired since 01 of December 2019 and or that may expire up until the 31 of March 2020) who also originate from a country that is affected by COVID-19 or who needs to transit through a country that is affected by COVID-19 to reach their country of origin, may re-apply for this visa without having to obtain FORM 20.

However, it is important to note that the new directive also states that NO foreign national trying to enter the country of South Africa from high-risk countries such as Italy, Spain, China, Iran, France, Switzerland, South Korea, Germany, the Unites States of America and the United Kingdom will not be allowed entry into South Africa. Also any foreign national that has recently traveled through any of the high risk countries will also not be allowed to enter south Africa nor apply for a visa.

For those foreign nationals who reside in the medium-risk countries, namely:  Portugal, Hong Kong, and Singapore, may apply for a visa at the South African mission in their own country, however they need to provide a medical report stating that they were tested negative for COVID-19