Welcome to our blog post on how to renew an expired asylum in South Africa. Asylum seekers who are in South Africa are required to renew their asylum status within a particular period, failure to do so subjects them to a lot of legal consequences. In this article, we will guide you on the process of renewing your expired asylum status in South Africa.
What is asylum?
Asylum is the protection granted by a country to someone who has fled their country of origin as a result of being persecuted, prosecuted, or at risk of harm because of their race, religion, nationality, political views, or social group.
Why do you need to renew your asylum status?
Your asylum status has a limited time, after which it expires. Renewing your asylum status is necessary to maintain your legal stay in the country, to access social security services and to avoid legal consequences.
When should you renew your asylum status?
As an asylum seeker, you should renew your asylum status 30 days before your current asylum seeker permit expires. Failure to renew your status will lead to your permit expiring, and you'll become an illegal immigrant. Hence, you won't be allowed to work, study or access any public services in South Africa.
Steps to renew your expired asylum permit
The process of renewing your expired asylum in South Africa is easy and simple; here are the steps:
- Visit the Refugee Reception Office: Visit the nearest refugee reception office with your expired asylum seeker permit, original identity book/ passport, and a copy of your biometric details.
- Submit your documents: Submit your documents to the official responsible for receiving and processing them.
- Wait for an outcome: Wait to be called up for a hearing meeting with the Refugee Status Determination Office. After that, you'll wait for an outcome.
- Collect your renewed asylum permit: If your application is successful, you'll be given a new asylum seeker permit stamped with a new expiry date.
If your application is unsuccessful, you'll have to lodge an appeal within the stipulated time or be taken to a deportation center, which is not a favorable situation for anyone.
Conclusion
Renewing your asylum status is a crucial process that must be done timely to avoid all legal consequences. It's essential to bear in mind that getting and maintaining your asylum status comes with many responsibilities, primarily that of adhering to the rules and regulations governing asylum seekers in South Africa.
