Do I need to apply for a ‘waiver’ before I can transition from a Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) to another visa type?

If you are a holder of the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP), you might be wondering if you really need to apply for a waiver before you can move to a normal South African visa. The short answer is that for most people, yes, you do need that waiver if you want to apply for a general work visa without going through the long process of getting a certificate from the Department of Labour. This is a very hot topic right now because the Department of Home Affairs has given people a chance to move from the special permits to regular ones so they can stay in the country legally for a longer time.

Key details about the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) transition

• Main Institution: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is the one in charge of all these permit rules.
• Key Person: The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, who has recently been working on fixing the backlog of visas.
• Application Center: All applications must be submitted through VFS Global, which handles the paperwork for the government.
• Important Dates: The Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) was extended recently, and holders have until 29 November 2025 to make sure their documents are in order.
• The Waiver Process: This is a request to the Minister to “waive” or set aside certain requirements, like the need for a job to be advertised in local newspapers.
• Target Group: Basotho nationals who have been working, studying, or running businesses in South Africa under the special exemption since 2016.

Everything you need to know about the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) waiver

The whole thing started because the South African government wanted to help Basotho people who were already in the country to become legal. But the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) was always meant to be temporary. Now, the government wants everyone to move to the normal visa system under the Immigration Act. The problem is that the normal work visa has very strict rules. For example, your boss must prove that they couldn’t find a South African person to do your job. This is why you need a waiver.

When you apply for a waiver, you are basically asking the Department of Home Affairs to let you skip that part where the Department of Labour comes to check your workplace. Once your waiver is approved, it becomes much easier to apply for your General Work Visa. You can find more information about these kinds of changes in the trending news section where we cover many government updates. It is very important to start this process early because the Department of Home Affairs sometimes takes a long time to give back the results.

Another thing to remember is that you cannot just jump from an LEP to a regular visa without the right papers. If you are running a business, you might also need a waiver for the R5 million capital requirement that is usually needed for a Business Visa. Many people are talking about this on social media platforms like Facebook and X, especially in groups for Lesotho citizens living in South Africa. The general advice from immigration experts is to get your waiver letter first before you try to submit your main visa application at VFS Global.

Common questions about the LEP and waivers

• Do I really need a waiver for my Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP)?
  Yes, if you are applying for a General Work Visa and you don’t want to get a certificate from the Department of Labour, you definitely need to apply for a waiver first.
• How much does it cost to apply for a waiver?
  You will need to pay the VFS Global service fee, which is usually around R1,550, but the Department of Home Affairs itself does not charge a separate fee for the waiver application.
• Can I apply for the waiver and the visa at the same time?
  No, you usually have to wait for the waiver to be approved and get the letter before you can submit your actual visa application at VFS.
• What happens if my LEP expires while I am waiting?
  Minister Leon Schreiber has issued a directive that protects permit holders. As long as you have applied, your current status is protected until you get your outcome.
• Where do I go to submit my waiver documents?
  You must make an appointment and go to a VFS Global office. You cannot just go to a normal Home Affairs office for this.
• Can I travel to Lesotho while waiting for my waiver?
  Yes, you are allowed to travel home and come back to South Africa, but you must carry your Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) and the receipt from VFS to show that you have applied.