How can I get a “validity letter” to show my landlord that my Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) is legally extended?

If you are a Basotho national living in South Africa, you might be feeling the pressure from your landlord or even your bank to prove that you are still here legally. With all the changes coming from the Department of Home Affairs, many people are asking how they can get a validity letter to show that their Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) has been officially extended. This document is very important because it acts as the official proof that the South African government has given you more time to stay, work, and study in the country while they figure out a long-term plan for all permit holders.

Important details about the LEP extension and your validity letter

• Main News: The Minister of Home Affairs has officially extended the Lesotho Exemption Permits until 28 May 2027.
• Key Person: Dr. Leon Schreiber, the Minister of Home Affairs, signed the new directives to help permit holders.
• Important Document: Immigration Directive No. 20 of 2025 is the legal paper that everyone, including landlords, must recognize.
• The Date to Remember: Previously, the permits were supposed to expire on 28 November 2025, but the new extension adds another 18 months of legal stay.
• Institution Involved: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and their partner VFS Global are the main bodies handling these permits.
• Protection: Under this extension, no LEP holder can be arrested or deported for not having a new “physical” permit sticker, as long as they have the old one and the directive.

Simple summary of the LEP story

For a long time, thousands of people from Lesotho have been living in South Africa under a special arrangement called the Lesotho Exemption Permit. Recently, there was a lot of worry that these permits would stop working at the end of 2025. However, the government decided to give everyone more time. The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, announced that these permits are now valid until May 2027. This move was made to give the Department of Home Affairs enough time to listen to the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) and come up with a permanent solution for everyone involved.

If your landlord is asking for a validity letter, you must understand that the government does not usually print an individual letter for every single person. Instead, they release a “Gazetted Directive.” This directive is the legal validity letter that covers everyone who has an LEP. You can download this document from the official government website or find updates on trending immigration news to make sure you have the latest version. When you show this to your landlord along with your current (even if it looks expired) permit, they are legally required to accept it as proof that you are staying in South Africa legally.

It is also a good idea to keep your VFS Global receipts if you have recently applied for a waiver or a different kind of visa. These papers, together with the Minister’s directive, form a strong “validity pack” that shows you are following all the rules. Many people are also using these documents to keep their bank accounts open and to continue working without any problems from their bosses. Just remember to keep these papers safe and always have a copy on your phone to show whenever someone asks for proof.

Common questions from the community

• Where can I download the official validity letter for my landlord?

  You can get the official Minister’s Directive (Directive No. 20 of 2025) from the Department of Home Affairs website. This is the blanket validity letter that proves the extension for all LEP holders.

• Do I need to go to VFS Global to get a new sticker?

  No, you don’t need a new sticker right now. The extension is automatic as long as you already have a valid LEP. The directive makes your current permit valid until May 2027.
• What if my landlord still refuses to accept the directive?

  You can explain to them that this is a government order. You might also want to show them the official news from the South African Government website which confirms that LEP holders are protected from deportation and have the right to stay.

• Can I still travel to Lesotho with an expired permit?

  Yes, you can. The directive allows you to enter and leave South Africa as long as you have your valid passport and a copy of the extension notice with you.

• Will the LEP be extended again after 2027?

  The government is currently looking for a long-term solution. While we don’t know if there will be another extension, the current one gives everyone 18 months to plan their next steps or apply for other visas.

• Does this extension apply to the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) too?

  Yes, the Minister issued a similar directive for ZEP holders, extending their stay to the same date in May 2027.