On August 29, 2024, the Department of Home Affairs took a significant step towards embracing digital transformation. Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber announced that visa waiver application outcomes will now be delivered digitally via email, starting with holders of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs). This new digital-first approach, effective immediately, means that applicants no longer need to visit VFS branches to collect physical waiver letters. Instead, they will receive their waiver outcomes conveniently in PDF format through email.
Minister Schreiber emphasized that this step, while small, is a meaningful part of the Department’s broader effort to reduce corruption, enhance efficiency, and tackle the longstanding backlog of over 306,000 unprocessed applications. The Department has already processed over 60,000 outstanding ZEP waiver applications and is set to process an additional 22,529 soon.
This digital shift marks a pivotal moment in transforming Home Affairs into a modern, tech-savvy department, ensuring faster, more efficient service for all applicants.
For further information please read the official media release HERE