On 7 October 2025, Minister of Home Affairs Dr L. A. Schreiber issued two immigration directives that impact both Lesotho and Zimbabwean Exemption Permits.
Immigration Directive No 20 of 2025 extends Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEPs) to 28 May 2027, grants an 18‑month grace period after the current expiry date of 28 November 2025, protects holders from arrest or deportation for not having a valid certificate and allows travel and visa applications without needing to show an exemption.
Immigration Directive No 21 of 2025 provides the same relief to Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs), extending them to 28 May 2027 with identical protections and grace period.
These directives were issued after consultations with the reactivated Immigration Advisory Board. We are proud to have contributed to a process aimed at providing stability while a longer‑term solution is developed. Minister Schreiber’s first year has seen notable progress in modernising Home Affairs and we appreciate his decisive leadership.
You can download the full directives here: