Asylum application at a Refugee Reception Office
Refugees Act 130 of 1998
People seeking protection in South Africa apply in person at a Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Office (RRO). They receive an asylum seeker visa (section 22) and are interviewed by a Refugee Status Determination Officer. Rejected applicants can appeal to the Refugee Appeals Authority; recognised refugees receive a section 24 refugee status document and can seek permanent residence after 10 years.
1 entry rule for South Africa based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers over 1 year arriving from a WHO yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) must show a valid yellow fever certificate. Without one: may be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days or until the certificate becomes valid.
National Department of Health (South Africa): Health Protocols for Travellers Arriving in South Africa (2026) WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in South Africa
Money
3
Currency
South African Rand
ZAR
South African Rand
Cost of living
43
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
18–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 15% · social security 1%
45% applies to taxable income above R1,878,600 (2027 tax year); rebates create an effective tax-free threshold.
Living
1
Happiness
#99 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People in South Africa who fled persecution, or who were forced to leave because of external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing public order.
Eligibility
Refugee definition
Section 3 of the Refugees Act follows the UN Refugee Convention and the OAU Refugee Convention, covering persecution and people fleeing external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing public order.
People in need of protection
DHA also refers to people who face torture or a risk to life if returned.
Apply in person at an RRO
Apply in person at a Refugee Reception Office; every family member on the application must attend to give biometrics.
- Offices: Cape Town, Durban, Desmond Tutu (Pretoria), Musina, Gqeberha
Official wording
Applications are lodged in person at a Refugee Reception Office: Cape Town, Durban, Desmond Tutu (Pretoria), Musina or Gqeberha. All family members on the application must attend to give biometrics.
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- 3 more requirements
- 6 documents
- 1 fee
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
- DHA - Refugee status and asylum
- gov.za - Refugees Amendment Act 11 of 2017 (commenced 1 Jan 2020)
- gov.za - Refugees Regulations (Government Gazette 42932, Dec 2019)
- gov.za - Home Affairs Director-General withdraws asylum directive (9 Oct 2026)
- SAnews - Home Affairs to digitise asylum applications (11 Oct 2026)
- UNHCR Help South Africa - Asylum and Refugee Status Determination
- UNHCR Help South Africa - Access to work
Other routes to South Africa
- Visit & tourismVisitor's visa for tourism (section 11(1)), with Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or port of entry visa
- StudyStudy Visa
- Work permitsCritical Skills Work Visa (section 19(4), Immigration Act 13 of 2002)
- FamilyRelative's Visa, including spouse and life partner
- Investors & entrepreneursRemote Work Visa - visitor's visa under section 11(1)(b)(iv) for remote work
- Work permitsGeneral Work Visa (section 19(2), Immigration Act 13 of 2002)
