The Procedure for Asylum Application in South Africa

How much does it cost to apply for asylum in South Africa?

There is no fee payable for eligibility and status determination interviews as well as issuance or renewal of section 22, section 24 and refugee ID.

How long does it take to get an asylum in South Africa?

Ideally you should receive a decision regarding your status as a refugee within three months of your application; however, because of severe backlogs this process takes much longer.

Can an asylum seeker apply for a work permit in South Africa?

According to the new legislation, provided you are looking  to work while using an asylum seeker (section 22) permit, you will be required  to apply to have your asylum seeker document ‘endorsed’ with permission to work in South Africa.

Can asylum seekers get driving licenses in South Africa?

Asylum seekers, although granted the right to work in South Africa, are not allowed to obtain a driving license, even though it is required by many employers when inviting job applications for vacant positions.

How can you apply for asylum in South Africa? 

Bear in mind, you have the right to have an interpreter during the entire process. In a Situation, this is not presented to you, kindly  ask for it.

• If you enter South Africa to apply for asylum, you must declare this at the port of entry. When you do this, you should be given an ‘asylum transit visa’ allowing you to travel to a Refugee Reception Office (“RRO”) to register your claim.
• You must apply for asylum within five days of entering South Africa. You must apply at a Refugee Reception Office (or another place designated by the Director-General of Home Affairs). There, your biometrics and other data will be taken. Scalabrini has developed a helpful guide on applying for asylum online that you can read in ENGLISH or in FRENCH.
• If you did not enter through a port of entry – or if you did, but you were not issued with an ‘asylum transit visa’ – at the RRO, you will be interviewed by an Immigration Officer so they can understand why you do not have this visa. Depending on your reasons, they may allow you to apply for asylum.
• If you apply for asylum more than five days after entering South Africa and have reasons for this delay, you must explain this clearly.
• To apply for asylum, you need an appointment with an RRO. Since 4 May 2022, RRO has been open for appointments which can be made through email; here are the steps you need to follow:
  • Please send an email to newasylum2022@dha.gov.za. They will send you an application form to complete
  • The completed application form has to be sent to newasylum2022@dha.gov.za
  • In the subject line of your email, write only the name of the RRO where you want to apply e.g., Gqeberha, Durban, Desmond Tutu, or Musina
  • Your application will be automatically sent to the RRO of your choice. The staff at that RRO will then send you an appointment letter via email for a date upon which you have to report to the RRO.
  • Appointments are allocated on a first-come, first served basis but also according to country intake days to ensure the availability of telephonic translators.
  • If you have a #711-reference number because Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) RRO already took your fingerprints, include it in your application.
  • The number of appointments given for a specific day will depend on the specific RRO’s availability.

What happens if you are recognized as a Refugee? 

 In the Republic of South Africa, If you are granted status as a refugee, you will be given a ‘Section 24’ permit (unless you are excluded for any reason).  This will allow you to remain in South Africa for four years (at which point you can apply to stay longer).  It is important to know that being given refugee status in South Africa carries with it certain rights and responsibilities – both for you as a refugee and for the government.

A ‘section 24’ refugee status document should:

• Be valid for four years (unless it is withdrawn or ceases before that),
• Be granted to the main file holder as well as all dependents included in that holder’s refugee file (these are the dependents listed at the initial application, or who have been successfully added in your file)
• Must be reapplied for at least 90 days prior to the expiry of the document.

A person who has been issued a ’section 24’ refugee recognition document must:

• Apply for an identity card immediately (this ‘refugee ID’ is valid for the same time period as the ‘section 22’ refugee status document).
• Cannot leave South Africa without a refugee travel document and may apply for this document if travel is going to be undertaken.
• Must notify the officials at the Refugee Reception Office of any change in address.