South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has removed one of the most complained-about barriers to visa renewals: the 60-day advance filing requirement. Under Directive 13 of 2026, signed by Minister Dr Leon Schreiber on 2 October 2026, foreign nationals can now submit visa extension or status-change applications at any point up to and including the day their current visa expires.
What changed
Previously, anyone in South Africa on a temporary visa - work, study, relative, or visitor’s visa - had to submit an extension or status-change application at least 60 days before their visa expired. Missing that window was grounds for rejection, and many appeals were lost on this technicality alone.
Under Directive 13, that deadline no longer applies. Applications submitted with any amount of notice before expiry will be accepted.
The waiver also applies retrospectively: pending appeals and applications that were rejected solely because they were filed fewer than 60 days before expiry will be reconsidered. If you or someone you know had an application knocked back for this reason, it is worth reapplying or contacting the Department.
What has not changed
The waiver does not extend to those whose visas have already expired. Applications must still reach the Department on or before the expiry date - the change removes the 60-day minimum, not the expiry deadline itself. Anyone who has overstayed should seek specialist legal advice rather than assuming they are covered.
Standard document requirements, processing times, and fees remain unchanged.
Who this affects
This is most relevant to people on extended stays: expats, digital nomads, students, and anyone on a long-term work permit who needs to extend or change their conditions. For straightforward holiday visitors from visa-exempt countries - the majority of tourists - day-to-day travel is unaffected.
South Africa has been overhauling its immigration framework throughout 2026, including a major visa system overhaul earlier this year and the partial rollout of the electronic travel authorisation. The scrapping of the 60-day rule is the latest in a series of practical reforms aimed at reducing the friction that has historically made South Africa’s visa regime difficult to navigate.
If you are planning a long stay, check the current South Africa visa requirements before booking. For those still deciding on dates, our flights to South Africa guide covers current airline options and booking windows.