Department of Home Affairs calls upon asylum seekers and refugees to renew their expired visas and statuses

The Department of Home Affairs has issued a statement calling upon qualifying asylum seekers and refugees to renew their expired visas and status online before the deadline on 30 June 2021.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has extended the validity of the asylum seeker visas and refugee statuses. This online extension is aimed at reducing the COVID-19 spread. With the online extension, a holder of an asylum seeker visa (section 22) or a refugee status (section 24), can request an extension of visa validity via email, without having to physically go to a refugee reception office.

To request an online extension for an asylum seeker or refugee visas a client will need to submit the following documents:

• A signed template that has a permit number, full names and surname, and full contact details (an email address, mobile phone numbers and physical address).
• Proof of physical address in a form of a utility bill or an affidavit confirming the address.
• A copy of the current visa. If the visa is lost, the client must submit an affidavit confirming that the permit is lost and indicate the previous permit reference number.

1	Desmond Tutu Refugee Reception Office	Refugee visa extensions: DTRRC.Extension24@dha.gov.za Asylum seeker visa extension: DTRRC.Extension22@dha.gov.za
2	Cape Town Refugee Reception Office	Refugee visa extensions: CTrrc.extension24@dha.gov.za Asylum seeker visa extension: CTrrc.Extension22@dha.gov.za
3	Musina Refugee Reception Office	Refugee visa extensions: MusinaRRC.Extension24@dha.gov.za Asylum seeker visa extension: Musinarrc.Extension22@dha.gov.za
4	Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Refugee Reception Office	Refugee visa extensions: PERRC.Extension24@dha.gov.za Asylum seeker visa extension: PERRC.Extension22@dha.gov.za
5	Durban Refugee Reception Office	Refugee visa extensions: DurbanRRC.Extension24@dha.gov.za Asylum seeker visa extension: DurbanRRC.Extension22@dha.gov.za