Foreign nationals should not rely on reports that the 60-day submission requirement for in-country visa changes has been removed until the Department of Home Affairs publishes and confirms the applicable directive, its effective date and scope.
Key Answer: Reports that South Africa has removed the 60-day submission requirement for visa renewals or changes of status should be treated with caution. As at 13 October 2026, applicants should not assume that they may apply during the final 60 days of visa validity unless the Department of Home Affairs confirms the applicable directive, its effective date and the categories of application it covers. Current regulations still require an in-country application to change visa status or conditions to be submitted at least 60 days before the current visa expires. Applications should be prepared and lodged as early as possible, and always before the current visa expires.
Foreign nationals and employers may have seen reports that South Africa has waived the 60-day rule for visa extensions and changes of status. This would be a significant procedural development if formally implemented. However, an article on this subject must distinguish between a reported policy change and an official rule that applicants can safely rely on.
At the time of review, no official Immigration Directive 13 of 2026 removing the 60-day submission requirement could be located. The Department of Home Affairs has issued other immigration directives during 2026, including a concession for certain pending waiver, visa and appeal applicants and a separate waiver concerning medical reports. Neither document confirms a general waiver of the 60-day rule for all visa renewal or status-change applications.
The Practical Position for Applicants
Until Home Affairs publishes a clear, applicable instruction, foreign nationals should continue to plan on the basis that renewal, extension and change-of-status applications need careful advance preparation. The 60-day requirement is particularly relevant to in-country applications for a change of visa status or conditions. A submission close to the expiry date can create avoidable risk, particularly where documents are incomplete, appointments are unavailable, an application must be lodged from outside South Africa, or the intended visa category cannot be changed from within the country.
Submitting an application before expiry is particularly important. A late application can have serious consequences, including an interruption to lawful status and difficulties when departing South Africa. For a change-of-status application, submission does not itself grant the requested status or automatically create a right to remain in South Africa while the application is pending. The position depends on the visa category, the application route and any current official concession.
What Has Been Officially Confirmed in 2026?
Home Affairs’ Immigration Directive 7 of 2026 provides a temporary concession for specified foreign nationals affected by delayed processing of waiver, long-term visa and appeal applications. The concession is not a general permission to submit a new application after a visa has expired, and it does not change the substantive requirements for the underlying visa category.
In July 2026, Home Affairs also published Ministerial Immigration Directive 10 of 2026, which waives the requirement to submit a medical report for visa and permanent residence applications, including qualifying pending applications. That directive illustrates why applicants must check the precise wording and scope of each official notice: a waiver may apply only to a particular document, applicant group or application stage.
Steps to Take Before a Visa Expires
1. Confirm the correct application route. Check whether the intended application is an extension, renewal, change of conditions, change of status, waiver, appeal or a new application. The rules and supporting documents can differ materially.
2. Start early. Gather the required documents well ahead of expiry. Depending on the application, this may include passport documents, police clearances, radiological reports where required, proof of financial means, employment documentation, qualifications, relationship evidence or proof of study. Although Directive 10 of 2026 waives the medical-report requirement, applicants should still check the requirements for their particular visa category and application route.
3. Check whether an in-country application is permitted. Not every visa holder may change status from within South Africa. In particular, visitor’s and medical-treatment visa holders are generally restricted from changing status in-country unless an applicable exception or waiver applies. This point should be resolved before assuming that an in-country submission is available.
4. Keep complete evidence of submission. Retain the VFS receipt, application reference, payment confirmation and copies of the full application. For applications lodged through VFS Global, applicants can use the relevant tracking process to monitor progress. NWI’s South African visa-status guide explains the main tracking routes and the importance of keeping the application receipt.
5. Do not assume that a pending application permits unrestricted travel or work. Visa conditions remain important while an application is under consideration. Anyone considering travel should check the current concession and the practical re-entry requirements before leaving South Africa.
What This Means for Employers
Employers should monitor the expiry dates and application status of foreign employees well in advance. A reported easing of a procedural rule is not a substitute for workforce planning, compliant documentation and a clear understanding of the employee’s current visa conditions.
Where a key employee’s status is approaching expiry, the employer should establish whether an application has been submitted, whether all supporting documents are available and whether the employee can continue performing the relevant role under their current visa conditions. The employer should not assume that a pending application changes those conditions.
Can Earlier Refusals Be Reconsidered?
Applicants whose applications were previously refused because of timing should not assume that a later policy development automatically reopens their matter. Whether any remedy is available depends on the wording of the refusal, the date and type of application, applicable appeal or review deadlines, and any official transitional arrangements.
Before taking action, review the refusal letter, the submission receipt and the current status of any appeal or waiver application. A case should be assessed against the current official requirements rather than informal reports about a possible change.
Stay Focused on Compliance
A confirmed relaxation of a 60-day submission requirement could give eligible applicants more flexibility. It would not remove the need to meet the substantive requirements of the relevant visa category, submit a complete application or maintain lawful status.
For now, the safest approach is to prepare early, lodge before visa expiry and verify any claimed waiver directly against a published Home Affairs directive. Applicants with an imminent expiry date, a pending application, a refusal or planned international travel should obtain advice specific to their circumstances before relying on a reported procedural change.