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FAQ

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Any person who has fled from their home country to another country in search of protection by this other country. To be recognised as an asylum seeker and to receive the relevant permit, you must declare yourself as such the moment you enter South Africa by air, sea, or land border post.

If asylum is not granted for whatever reason, you must leave South Africa or you will be deported back to your home country.

Any person who has been granted asylum and wishes to stay longer may apply for refugee status according to section 24 of Refugee Act, 130 of 1998 before their permit expires.

To qualify for refugee status you:

·      must have fled your home country due to fear of persecution because of your race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group; and/or

·      need protection from your home country due to the risk of you being tortured, or treated in a cruel and unusual manner, being punished or being killed.

You may qualify for refugee status in South Africa only if you have personally faced such risks in your home country.

You must declare yourself as an asylum seeker the moment you enter South Africa through any of its harbours, airports or border posts.

 

·      Section 23 asylum-in-transit permit

―   This permit is a non-renewable asylum-in-transit permit and is valid for 14 days only.

―   You need this permit to apply for asylum-seeker status at any of the refugee reception offices that can be found across South Africa.

 

·      Section 22 asylum-seeker permit

―   This permit is valid for six months only but can be extended for another six months, for as long as your refugee status remains under review.

―   You need this permit to live, work and study in South Africa.

―   To begin the application, you must:

o   submit a section 23 asylum-in-transit permit;

o   provide proof of identification from your country of origin (if you have it); and

o   provide travel documents (if you have them).

 

Important: Requests for extensions of this permit must be sent to the refugee reception office from where you received your previous extension. You can visit the office directly or send an email for online assistance.

 

If you wish to be recognised as a refugee in South Africa, you must report to the refugee reception office and follow the recommended processes before your asylum-seeker permit expires.

The Refugee Status Determination Officer (RSDO) that is assigned to you will be responsible for conducting the necessary interviews, as well as assessing your case, so that they may decide on whether to accept or reject your application.

Should you be granted asylum in writing, you will also receive a Section 24 refugee permit, which allows you to live, work or study in South Africa. This permit is renewable after 24 months. You may also apply for a refugee identity card or document within 15 days of receiving your Section 24 refugee permit.

Important: Requests for extensions of this permit must be sent to the refugee reception office from where you received your previous extension. You can visit the office directly or send an email for online assistance.

 

An asylum-seeker permit is valid for six months. Once expired, the document becomes invalid and may not be used for any official purpose, such as an application for a bank account.

To keep your asylum-seeker permit valid and up to date, you must request an extension at your nearest refugee reception office before the expiry date.

Important: Requests for extensions of this permit must be sent to the refugee reception office from where you received your previous extension. You can visit the office directly or send an email for online assistance.

 

A refugee permit is valid for 24 months. Once expired, the document becomes invalid and may not be used for any official purpose, such as an application for a bank account.

To keep your refugee permit valid and up to date, you must request an extension at your nearest refugee reception office before the expiry date.

Important: Requests for extensions of this permit must be sent to the refugee reception office from where you received your previous extension. You can visit the office directly or send an email for online assistance.

 

You may apply for a refugee identity card or document at your nearest refugee reception office within 15 days of receiving written confirmation of your refugee permit.

Below is a list of refugee reception offices.

Important: Requests for a permit extension must be sent to the refugee reception office from where you received your previous extension. We recommend you use the following email addresses for online assistance.

Refugee reception office

Asylum seeker (section 22) permits

Refugee (section 24) permits

Desmond Tutu Refugee Reception Centre

dtrrc.extension22@dha.gov.za

dtrrc.extension24@dha.gov.za

Cape Town Refugee Reception Centre

ctrrc.extension22@dha.gov.za

ctrrc.extension24@dha.gov.za

Durban Refugee Reception Centre

durbanrrc.extension22@dha.gov.za

durbanrrc.extension24@dha.gov.za

Musina Refugee Reception Centre

musinarrc.extension22@dha.gov.za

musinarrc.extension24@dha.gov.za

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Refugee Reception Centre

perrc.extension22@dha.gov.za

perrc.extension24@dha.gov.za

There is no charge. Please report any person who tries to charge you for issuing any of these permits, identity cards or documents directly to the authorities.

Yes, Nedbank offers a selected range of bank accounts that makes it possible for a refugee or asylum seeker to manage their day-to-day banking as well as send and receive money from international sources.

Please follow this guide for more information on opening an account as a refugee or asylum seeker. The guide contains details of the necessary documents you will need. When you are ready to begin your banking journey with Nedbank, you can visit your nearest branch and our friendly staff will help with your application.