Will the Department of Home Affairs introduce a “new” Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after the current extension ends in May 2027 and what would it mean for Basotho living in South Africa?

Many people from Lesotho who are living and working in South Africa are asking the big question: Will the Department of Home Affairs introduce a “new” Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after the current extension ends in May 2027? Right now, there is a lot of talk on social media and in the streets because everyone wants to know if they will be forced to go back home or if the government will give them another chance to stay legally after this long grace period. Even though the government says this is the final chance to switch to regular visas, many Basotho are hoping for a new plan because the normal visa requirements are very hard to meet for ordinary workers.

Important facts about the Lesotho Exemption Permit extension

• Main Authority: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA), led by the current Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber.
• Permit Holders: About 54,000 Basotho nationals who have been living in South Africa legally under this special arrangement.
• Key Dates: The current extension was granted to last until 29 May 2027. This followed an earlier deadline of December 2023.
• Partner Company: VFS Global is the official company that handles the application submissions for the DHA.
• Requirement: Holders are expected to use this time to apply for mainstream visas under the Immigration Act, such as work, business, or study visas.
• Current Status: No official “new” permit has been announced yet; the current focus is on moving people to the standard visa system.

The full story on whether there will be a new Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after May 2027

The story of the LEP started way back in 2015 when the South African government decided to help Basotho nationals who were already in the country. Instead of deporting people who were working without papers, they created the Lesotho Special Permit (LSP), which later became the LEP. The whole idea was to make sure people could pay taxes and live without fear. But now, things are changing. The Department of Home Affairs has been very clear that these special exemptions were never meant to be permanent. They want everyone to follow the same rules as other foreigners.

If you check on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, you will see that many people are worried. The main problem is that for a person to get a normal General Work Visa, their employer must prove that they couldn’t find a South African to do that job. This is very difficult for domestic workers or farm workers. This is why the question of whether there will be a “new” Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after the current extension ends in May 2027 is so important. If the government doesn’t create a new category or a “waiver,” many people might find themselves undocumented again.

Recently, Minister Leon Schreiber has been talking about making Home Affairs more digital and efficient. You can keep up with these changes on our trending news page to see if the policy changes. For now, the official word is that there is no “new” permit coming. The extension to 2027 was given specifically to allow the DHA to deal with the backlog of applications and to give Basotho people enough time to get their affairs in order. It is a very stressful time for the community because their lives, kids, and jobs are all based here in Mzansi.

Some human rights groups are also keeping a close eye on this. They argue that many Basotho have been here for over ten years and have built lives here. They are hoping that by the time 2027 comes, the government might consider a permanent residency option or a new type of low-skill work permit. But as it stands, if you have an LEP, you must try your best to apply for the mainstream visas through VFS Global before the clock runs out. The question about a “new” Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after the current extension ends in May 2027 will likely stay a hot topic until the very last minute.

Common questions about the “new” Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after May 2027

• Can I apply for a new LEP right now?
  No, there is no new application window. You can only renew or maintain your status if you already held the previous permit.
• What happens if I don’t get a mainstream visa by May 2027?
  According to the current rules, you will have to leave South Africa or you might face deportation because your legal stay will have ended.
• Will the Department of Home Affairs introduce a “new” Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after the current extension ends in May 2027?
  As of today, the Department has not promised a new permit. They have said this is the final extension to help people move to regular visas.
• Can I travel to Lesotho with my current LEP?
  Yes, you can travel between South Africa and Lesotho using your valid passport and the LEP certificate or the receipt from VFS.
• Is it easy to change from LEP to a Work Visa?
  It is quite hard because you need to meet all the requirements of the Immigration Act, but the Minister has granted some “waivers” to make it a bit easier for some people.
• Where can I get the latest updates on this story?
  You should regularly check the official Department of Home Affairs website or follow their official social media pages for any new notices.