The Government of the Republic of South Africa and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have partnered to support the Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa (RAASA), formerly the Refugee Appeal Board (RAB), in a project to resolve the backlog of approximately 150,000 appeals and put measures in place to prevent another backlog from occurring. 

The Appeals Backlog Project was officially launched in March 2021 and aims to resolve the pending appeal cases over the course of 4 years, through the ramp-up of resources, including increase of members and technical equipment funded by UNHCR.

The RAASA is currently deciding appeals that were made before 2017, and if this applies to you, please follow the below guidelines:

1)  In order to receive a Notice of Hearing, ensure that your local Refugee Reception Office has your up-to-date contact information including.

You can update your contact information by sending an email to: [email protected] . Make sure to include the below information in your communication:

• Department of Home Affairs (DHA) File Number
• Your name and the names of all family members appealing with you
• Home address in South Africa
• Telephone number
• E-mail address
  • ATTENTION!  If you do not provide full contact information, including home address, e-mail address and telephone number, your hearing may go ahead without you present or even your appeal being cancelled. 

2)  Once you receive the date for hearing in a Notice of Hearing, you will have 30 days to sign and submit your Notice of Hearing and to provide any new evidence/information relevant to your appeal to the RAASA.  You can provide this by sending an email to [email protected]

• Please note that it is mandatory for Appellants to sign and return their Notices of Hearing in order for the RAASA to proceed with the hearing.
• Make sure to put your DHA file number on the subject line of your messages to RAASA.

ATTENTION!

• Please check your email box regularly
• While you wait for your appeal hearing/decision, please continue to renew your asylum permit. More information on how to renew your documents is available here: Online Renewal of Permits
• The RAASA is sending Notices of Hearing to the Appellant’s email address on file as provided by Appellant upon renewal of their permit through the Online Extension System
• If you have any doubts about the appeal process or if you face any challenges, contact RAASA at: [email protected] OR [email protected] OR call 012 316 9800

USEFUL RESOURCES (Click on the title of each document to download it)

Notice of Appeal – When you receive a rejection decision from the RSDO at the RRO, you have the right to appeal that decision and the Notice of Appeal is the instrument through which you should inform the DHA you have the intention to appeal the decision.

Change of Address Form – You can use this form to update your contact information and send it to RAASA at: [email protected] OR to the relevant RRO:

• Desmond Tutu RRO: [email protected]
• Cape Town RRO: [email protected]
• Durban: [email protected]
• Musina: [email protected]
• Qheberha: [email protected]

Interpreter/Translator form – If you are unable to speak and understand English, you will be provided with an interpreter by the RAASA. Submit the form along with the other information required within 30 days from the receipt of Notice of Hearing to indicate the language you require interpretation.

Notice of Hearing – This is a sample of how you will should expect to receive notification that a Hearing has been scheduled for your appeal application

Appeals Backlog Project Brochure – Document with more information on the project.

The Government of South Africa continues to offer the SASSA Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD 350), a grant of R350 per month for 6 months to be paid to individuals who are currently unemployed, do not receive any form of income, social grant or UIF payment etc, and include both Refugees and Asylum Seeker permit holders. You can find detailed guidelines on the application process in THIS brochure.

Criteria and Application process

You can apply if you are :

• a South African Citizens, Permanent Resident or Refugee registered on the Home Affairs database or a holder of a special permit under the Special Angolan Dispensation, the Lesotho Exemption Permit dispensation or the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Dispensation, or an asylum seeker whose section 22 permit or visa is valid or was valid on 15 March 2020;
• currently residing within the borders of the Republic of South Africa;
• above the age of 18 and below the age of 60;
• unemployed;
• not receiving any adult social grant in respect of himself or herself;
• not receiving an unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive an unemployment insurance benefit;
• not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme or other financial aid;
• not receiving any other government COVID-19 response support; and
• not a resident in a government funded or subsidised institution.

If you are eligible, access the application page by clicking here.

Applicants will be required to provide complete information, including:

• Identity Number or Department of Home Affairs Refugee/ asylum seeker permit number
• Name and Surname as captured in the Identity Document
• Gender and Disability
• Contact details – Cell phone number
• Residential Address

We understand that some Asylum Seekers faced challenges in the application process, so we prepared the attached Guide particularly to this population HERE.

GENERAL INFORMATION

To change Mobile number Client must contact SASSA Toll Free Call centre on: 0800 60 10 11

If more information is required, please contact:

SASSA Toll Free Call centre on: 0800 60 10 11

OR

Send an email to: [email protected]

OR

Visit the SASSA website: www.sassa.gov.za and https://srd.sassa.gov.za

UNHCR is pleased to announce the opening of the Spring 2022 application period for a three-month mentorship programme for aspiring journalists, public speakers or advocates. Refugees as well as internally displaced or stateless people who are above the age of 18 are welcome to apply. Please keep in mind that this programme is open to all candidates who have completed their secondary education. However, preference will be given to those in higher education programmes, especially to those in journalism, communications, advocacy or related fields.

Please apply for either the journalism OR the public speaking/advocacy track. If you are unsure which track is right for you, don’t worry! Many of the sessions will overlap and you can also switch later if you would like.

TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT AND COMPLETE RULES, CLICK HERE!

FOR JOURNALISM CANDIDATES:

The goal of these sessions is to help refugees (or internally displaced or stateless people) tell their stories – or any story that is important to them – to the world. This track brings together internal UNHCR staff, external media and academic partners to provide training on writing and reporting skills as well as mentorship and networking opportunities. UNHCR will provide funds to cover programme-related costs including (but not limited to) travel expenses, telephone or internet expenses incurred during reporting and costs associated with accessing the training sessions.

What are we looking for:

• Candidates who have produced at least one journalistic piece (news article, video, radio show, etc.)
• Candidates who will be able to write/produce projects in English*
• Candidates who are enthusiastic about sharing stories that shed light on important issues in the world today

FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING/ADVOCACY CANDIDATES:

The goal of these sessions is to help refugees (or internally displaced or stateless people) become advocates for issues they care about. This track brings together internal UNHCR staff, external media, non profit and academic partners to provide training for writing and public speaking as well as data collection/research. UNHCR will provide funds (up to a limited amount) for programme-related costs including but not limited to travel costs, telephone or internet costs incurred during the creation of the final project and costs related to accessing training sessions.

What are we looking for:

• Candidates who have at least some experience in public speaking or advocacy
• Candidates who will be able to work in English (in the future, we hope to support multiple languages)
• Candidates who are enthusiastic about supporting causes related to forced displacement and/or statelessness or other issues important to them and their communities

HOW TO APPLY

There are two ways to apply:

• By email: Respond to the question as instructed HERE. Send your application by email to the UNHCR Education Section ([email protected]). You may answer all questions directly in the email or attach a separate document OR
• Fill out this Google Form.

Important dates to keep in mind:

• Deadline for applications: 11 MARCH 2022 (Successful candidates notified by the end of March)
• Programme start date: 28 APRIL 2022
• Programme end date: 8 JULY 2022

Observations:

*In the future, we hope to support multiple languages.

**Please note that UNHCR works under the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality. Please keep that in mind when pitching your story idea. Once candidates are chosen, their work will be their own and UNHCR will not try to influence story angles or content except to provide general feedback on technical issues, such as grammar and structure.

***Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most, if not all, of training and reporting will likely be done virtually.

Along with the communication on extension of permits validity to 30 April 2022, DHA also announced the extension of online services to allow recognised Refugees (section 24) and dependents to apply via e-mail for Identity and Travel Documents in an effort to continue to limit the spread of Covid-19, but restoring critical services.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION

All Applications for ID and Travel Documents should be Directed to [email protected] following the below guidelines:

I – Identity Document:

• Copy of not less than 1 year valid Formal Recognition of Refugee Status (Section 24 Visa);
• School letter confirming enrolment for Senior Certificate; or
• Confirmation letter of Offer of Employment; or
• Admission letter from prospective Institution of Higher Learning; and
• Any supporting document.

II – Travel Document:

a) Letter of intention to apply for the travel document accompanied by:

• copies of not less than 6 months valid Identity document or Formal Recognition of Refugee Status (Section 24 Visa);
• Confirmation letter of Offer of Employment abroad; or
• Admission letter from prospective Institution of Higher Learning abroad; and
• Any supporting document

b) Upon receipt of the application the office will schedule appointment for interview;

c) Upon granting permission to apply for Travel Document the following will be required:

• 2 X 1 Passport photographs
• Payment of R400 enrolment for Senior Certificate; or Confirmation letter of Offer of Employment.

ATTENTION!

– For both Identity & Travel Documents an automatic reply will be sent to the applicant as an acknowledgement of receipt of and application.

– For Travel Document a follow up email will be sent stating the date, time and office of appointment where the applicant will go to complete the application.

– Note that the referred service is limited and only applicable to the dependants of recognised refugees (section 24):

• Who are 16 years and above who will be writing their Senior Certificate Examinations (Matric) end of this year and able to prove their dependency;
• Who wish to further their studies at institutions of higher learning;
• Who wish to take up employment, including
• Those previously delinked from the principal applicant.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE RELEVANT REFUGEE RECEPTION CENTRE AT THE FOLLOWING CONTACTS.

NB: Enquiries MUST only be made during the official working hours.

REFUGEE RECEPTION CENTRE	CENTRE MANAGER	CONTACT DETAILS	EMAIL
Desmond Tutu	Bangwalang Chiloane	0664730631.	[email protected] [email protected]
Musina	Jimmy Malemela	0838520104	[email protected]
Durban	Naleen Balgobind	0828018691	[email protected]
PE (Gqeberha)	Sabelo Ngxitho	0664872131	[email protected]
Cape Town	Pp Michael Schoeman	0663007239	[email protected]

Read the official DHA statement here.

The Government of South Africa has officially extended the validity of asylum seeker and refugee permits until 30 April 2021, date until which all permits that expired on or after the national state of disaster was declared in March 2020 are considered valid and should be renewed through the Online Renewal System. UNHCR strongly encouraged those that have not yet done so, to renew their permits over email until the deadline.

The Department for Home Affairs (DHA) has announced further reopening of selected services at the Refugee Reception Offices by appointment and the expansion of the online systems.

DHA’s Message:

INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES AT REFUGEE RECEPTION OFFICES

The Refugee Reception offices (RROs) were closed since the 26th of March 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent lock down regulations. In April 2021, the Department introduced the Online System for extension of section 22 and section 24 visas, and further undertook to introduce other services in a staggered manner.

In line with this approach, the Department committed to introducing other category of services including new asylum applications and family joining for children born outside the Republic of South Africa. These services will now become available with effect from 3 May 2022.

In view of the termination of the national state of disaster, the department is finalizing plans to allow “walk-ins”. Once the plan is finalized, the refugee community will be informed through various mechanisms such as Public Notices and Stakeholder Engagements on how services can be accessed.

The online services will continue to be provided through the Online System and requests for appointment can be directed to the relevant RRO through the following contacts:

• Desmond Tutu RRO: [email protected]
• Cape Town RRO: [email protected]
• Durban: [email protected]
• Musina: [email protected]
• Qheberha: [email protected]

The Department is taking this approach in order to ensure that services are provided humanely and in a coordinated and efficient manner.

NEW APPLICATIONS FOR ASYLUM

The Department will start processing new asylum applications from the 3 May 2022. People who want to make applications for asylum in South Africa are urged to contact the Department by means of the following email address: [email protected] to send a request for asylum application.

Upon the receipt of email, a client will be scheduled for appointment and notified to come to an office on a specific date. On the email, a client must provide the following details: Full Names, Surname, Date of Birth, Nationality / Country of Birth, Dependents (if any), Date of arrival in South Africa, Port of Entry into South Africa, Current Residential Address where the person lives, Contact details including Email, Cellphone Number and Telephone Number where a person can be reached, indicate a Language of preference and the Center where they want to make an application.

NB: An applicant must be within the borders of South Africa to send a request for asylum application. An applicant must also attach all the supporting documents such as a Passport, identity document, certificate of birth etc. This information will assist the Centre to start preparing the application record in advance.

End of DHA’s message.

For more information and a step-by-step guide about the Online Renewal System, visit Help South Africa Online Renewal of Permits.

UNHCR is working in compiling questions from the community related to their services with the intention to submit them in the near future to the DHA. If you have questions you wish UNHCR to bring to their attention, please submit them HERE. (ATTENTION! Please do not submit questions related to your individual cases, as they should be sent directly to the relevant RROs listed below.)

Since the declaration of the national state of disaster, which was followed by the national lockdown, all public and private offices and institutions were closed down, including the Department of Home Affairs.

The Department has been issuing directives that all visas and permits that expired or were due to expire on, before, or after 25 March 2020 should be deemed valid. The latest blanket extension ran to 31 December 2021, implying that all immigration visas and refugee (or asylum-seeker) permits that expired during the said period remained valid until that date.