Insights
Analysis of immigration law and practice in South Africa, written by our team, and what each change means for the people it affects.
8 articles · Every article is also a free PDF briefing
Policy and law
Home Affairs withdraws its asylum directive: what changed, and what did not
On 9 October 2026 the Director-General withdrew the directive that opened Refugee Reception Offices to everyone wanting to claim asylum. Here is what it means for asylum seekers, and why it does not touch work, study or family visas.
16 October 2026 · 3 min read
Policy and law
The ZEP after May 2027: where things stand and what may come next
Zimbabwean Exemption Permits are valid until 28 May 2027, the consultation is over and a report is due to Cabinet by March 2027. An analysis of the law, the court cases and the realistic scenarios for holders.
16 October 2026 · 4 min read
Appeals
Overstayed your visa? How the ban works and how to have it lifted
Leaving South Africa after your visa has expired leads to a Form 19 and a ban of one to five years. The deadlines are short, the routes are often confused, and good evidence makes the difference.
16 October 2026 · 4 min read
Appeals
The V-list explained: prohibited, undesirable, and how to get off it
Being “V-listed” can stop you at the airport, block a VFS application or cost you a job. What the listing actually is, the two very different legal statuses behind it, and the process for having it lifted.
16 October 2026 · 4 min read
South Africa
South Africa’s points-based system: how the 100 points actually work
Since October 2024, general work and critical skills visas are decided on a 100-point test. The real thresholds, the figure most websites get wrong, and worked examples to see where you stand.
16 October 2026 · 3 min read
South Africa
Why the general work visa is still the hardest South African work visa to get
The labour certificate is waived, yet the general work visa remains the route most applicants struggle with. The difficulty has moved: from a labour-market test to a points threshold that most ordinary salaries cannot reach.
16 October 2026 · 3 min read
Policy and law
The blanket waiver for general work visas, and why a labour certificate holder needs no waiver
Since October 2024 a Ministerial blanket waiver has dispensed with the labour certificate for general work visas decided under the points system. Who it covers, what it does not do, and why applying for a waiver when you already hold a certificate is a mistake.
16 October 2026 · 4 min read
South Africa
Permanent residence in South Africa: the routes, the waits and the traps
A practical guide to sections 26 and 27 of the Immigration Act as they apply in October 2026: who qualifies, how long Home Affairs says it will take, and the mistakes that cost applicants their status.
16 October 2026 · 4 min read
Free briefings
Take it with you.
Every article is available as a designed PDF briefing to keep, print or share with your family or employer.
Browse the library
The briefing
New analysis, when the law changes.
An email from Owen Magocha when a directive, judgment or regulation changes what you can do. No more than twice a month.
Have a question an article does not answer?
Ask us privately from any article, or book a consultation with our team.