LESOTHO nationals working, studying and doing business in South Africa have until the end of September to apply for special permits – to regularize their stay.
The closing date was extended from 30 June to the current deadline of 30 September.
Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba said the extension of the date was made following a request from the Lesotho authorities to extend it for three months to allow more time for Basotho to apply.
He was addressing Lesotho nationals regarding applications for the Lesotho special project during his visit to Rustenburg on Wednesday (07/09).
According to Gigaba, the number of applications received online was 66 164.
Out of these, the number of applicants who made the necessary payment and booked appointments to visit Visa Facilitation Service (VFS) centres to complete the process, was 42 185.
Of these, 39 195 applications have gone through at VFS centres.
“Between now and the end of September 2016, we will take applications without passports,” said Gigaba.
“However, applicants have until the end of December to present their valid passports.
“We are doing this because people had to travel back to Lesotho to get their passports.”
