Question NW235 to the Minister of Home Affairs
17 April 2024 - NW235
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to the circular issued by the Acting Director-General of his department on 21 December 2023, what total number of short-term visa holders who applied for a visa extension on or before 30 November 2023, but have not yet received the outcome of their applications by 23 February 2024, would be expected to leave the Republic by 29 February 2024?
Reply:
Honourable Member, I would like to draw your attention to the Media briefing held on 17 March 2024 in which I comprehensively clarified the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the Circular and the steps taken by the Department to address any consequential concerns emanating therefrom. I have also previously addressed this matter in Parliament in February 2024 during the SONA Debate and on the occasion of the oral responses session of the JCPS Cluster held on 28 February 2023.
In my presentation on the occasion of the Media briefing which is attached as Annexure A, I further clarified how the Department would assist those short-term visa holders who applied, inter alia, for visa extensions and who still did not yet receive their application outcomes, whether negative or positive. I must also refer you to paragraphs 2 – 4 supra on page 3 of the Media briefing in which clarity is given regarding the removal of undesirable status for those applicants who may have been purported to have overstayed.
At the time of the Media briefing there were only 6 known cases received of persons who were negatively affected by the Circular. The Department will continue to assist and resolve these matters upon receipt of specific cases.
END.