Law Clinics Overwhelmed as Home Affairs Blocks Asylum Seekers
Refugee offices are not processing new applications unless immigrants have a transit visa, despite a court ruling that this is unconstitutional.
Lawyers report that Home Affairs has stopped processing new asylum applications unless applicants have a transit visa. Home Affairs has not responded to queries.
Asylum seekers must apply for an asylum seeker's permit in person at a Refugee Reception Office within five days of arriving in South Africa. There are five offices: Durban, Musina, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth.
Since April 2024, access to the asylum system has been restricted to those with a valid asylum transit visa, issued at an official port of entry, valid for five days.
Law clinics are overwhelmed with queries from asylum seekers blocked from accessing South Africa's asylum system.
- Durban
- Musina
- Pretoria
- Cape Town
- Port Elizabeth
Author's summary: Asylum seekers face restricted access to South Africa's system.