The Lesotho Special Permit (LSP) programme, managed
by VFS Global on behalf of the Department of Home
Affairs (DHA) over a nine-month period, allowed
Lesotho nationals to apply for their special permits in a
systemised and professionally executed environment.
The LSP was conceived as a joint project between the
South African and Lesotho governments to legalize the
stay of Lesotho nationals in South Africa.
The deadline for the programme was extended to
31 December 2016, allowing more time for Lesotho
nationals in South Africa to apply for their Lesotho
Special Permits. A Lesotho Special Permit allows
Lesotho nationals to lawfully live, work, study, operate
business and undertake financial transactions in South
Africa during its validity period (31 December 2019).
Applicants were advised to submit their LSP applications
before the deadline date of 31 December 2016, to avoid
serious consequences which include prohibition of
‘leave to stay’, arrest and even deportation.
Applicants at the Lesotho Special Permit Facilitation Centre waiting to submit their LSP applications to legalise their stay in South Africa
For the LSP project, VFS Global has been associated
with the DHA since March 2016, and ably supports the
client government in regularising the stay of Lesotho
nationals residing in South Africa since 30 September
2015. Lesotho nationals can visit one of the 11 LSP
Application Centres in South Africa to get the
assistance they need to validate their residency in
South Africa. LSP Form Filling Desks were rolled out in
key areas across South Africa with the highest density
of Lesotho population.
VFS Global also provided Mobile Facilitation Services to
cater to applicants in remote areas of South Africa. As a
part of the extended support during the festive season,
VFS Global has deployed Mobile Facilitation Centres
at six major borders of South Africa – Lesotho. These
Mobile Facilitation Centres attended to applicants who
were crossing the borders during the festive season.
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IDENTITY & CITIZEN SERVICES
VFS Global manages Lesotho Special Permit centres across
South Africa
Company has also set up Mobile Facilitation Centres for applicants in remote areas
8.1
8. IDENTITY & CITIZEN SERVICES
