Is it possible to apply for South African Permanent Residency directly from a Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) in 2026? What this means for Lesotho nationals living in South Africa.

If you are a Lesotho citizen living in Mzansi, you have probably been wondering if you can finally settle down for good now that it is 2026. The big question on everyone’s lips is whether you can apply for South African Permanent Residency directly from a Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP), especially after so many years of renewing temporary papers. Unfortunately, the current rules from the Department of Home Affairs still make it clear that these exemption permits are temporary and do not give you a direct path to a green ID book without moving to a mainstream visa first.

The facts about how to apply for South African Permanent Residency directly from a Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP)

• Governing Body: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA), led by the Minister of Home Affairs.
• Target Group: Lesotho nationals who have been living and working in South Africa under the special exemption dispensation since 2016.
• Permit Status: The Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) is a special category under the Immigration Act that allows people to stay, but with “no expectation of permanent residence.”
• Current Year: 2026, following several extensions and grace periods granted to permit holders.
• Main Requirement: To get permanent residency, an applicant must first transition into a mainstream visa (like a General Work Visa, Critical Skills Visa, or Spousal Visa) and hold that for a specific number of years.
• VFS Global: The official partner where all applications and biometric captures are handled before being sent to Pretoria for processing.

Full story on the LEP to permanent residency transition

For many years, our neighbors from Lesotho have been an important part of the South African economy, working in mines, farms, and domestic services. The LEP was introduced to make sure people were documented and legal. However, the law has always been a bit tough when it comes to staying forever. Even in 2026, the policy remains that you cannot apply for South African Permanent Residency directly from a Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP). This is because the exemption is seen as a “grace” from the government and not a standard immigration permit that builds up time towards residency.

If you want to stay in South Africa permanently, you have to follow a specific “bridge” process. First, you need to check if you qualify for a mainstream visa under the Department of Home Affairs regulations. This usually means you need to have a skill that is on the Critical Skills list or have an employer who can prove they couldn’t find a South African for the job. Once you have moved from the LEP to a work visa, you then have to wait for five years of continuous work on that specific visa before you can even think about applying for that permanent residency status.

There has been a lot of talk on social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) about whether the “unity government” or new ministers would change this. While there have been many court cases by groups like the Lawyers for Human Rights to protect the rights of permit holders, the core rule hasn’t changed much. The government is very strict about people moving through the proper channels. You can keep up with the latest news in South Africa to see if any new court rulings or department circulars come out that might give a special waiver for long-term LEP holders.

It is also important to remember that 2026 is a big year for documentation. Many people are rushing to VFS Global to try and fix their status. If you are on an LEP, the best advice from immigration experts is to start looking at your qualifications. If you have a degree or a trade certificate, it is much easier to move to a Critical Skills visa, which is the fastest way to eventually apply for South African Permanent Residency directly from a Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) after the required waiting period. Don’t wait until the last minute when your permit is about to expire, because the backlogs at Home Affairs can take months or even years to clear.

Frequently asked questions about LEP and residency

• Can I use my 10 years on LEP to apply for PR? No, time spent on an LEP does not count towards the 5-year requirement for permanent residency because it is an “exemption” and not a “visa” under the standard sections of the Immigration Act.
• What should I do if my LEP is expiring soon? You should look into moving to a mainstream visa like a General Work Visa or a Study Visa if you are eligible. You must do this through the VFS portal.
• Do I need to go back to Lesotho to apply for a new visa? In most cases, the Minister has allowed LEP holders to apply for a change of status within South Africa, but you must check the latest directive from 2026 to be sure.
• Can I apply for PR if I am married to a South African? Yes, if you are on an LEP but married to a South African citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for a Spousal Visa. After 5 years of marriage, you can then apply for permanent residency.
• Is there a shortcut to apply for South African Permanent Residency directly from a Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP)? Currently, there is no shortcut. You must transition to a mainstream visa first as per the Department of Home Affairs guidelines.
• Will the LEP be extended again in 2027? While the government has extended these permits before, they have repeatedly said that the extensions will eventually stop. It is better to get a mainstream visa now while you still have the chance.