ZEP Holders BEWARE: There is No Shortcut to Permanent Residence in South Africa
Thousands of Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders in South Africa should note that this temporary exemption permit does not allow for them to directly convert to becoming permanent residents, despite recent suggestions to this effect.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has confirmed in a media statement on 15 April 2026 that there has been no change in policy regarding ZEP holders. The DHA moved to clarify recent misinterpretation after a television interview with Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza on Monday, 13 April 2026.
Shirley Khunou, Immigration Consultant at Xpatweb, says direct conversion to a Permanent Residence (PR) Permit for ZEP holders is not an option, even though they may have held this permit for years.
“Instead, ZEP holders must first transition into a qualifying mainstream visa category before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence under South Africa’s standard immigration framework. These categories typically include Critical Skills Work Visas, General Work Visas, Business Visas or Relative’s Visa to name a few.”
These are currently among the most common pathways for ZEP holders to obtain PR in South Africa.
Khunou notes that each of these categories carries eligibility requirements such as qualifications, employment offers, financial thresholds, and compliance with immigration regulations.
To better understand the full process and what this means for ZEP holders, read our full article.