How to apply for a refugee’s permit

You can apply for a permanent residence permit if you have lived in South Africa for more than five years on a refugee status permit and have been granted a certificate confirming that you will remain a refugee indefinitely.

A permanent residence permit allows you to apply for South African citizenship after two years of acquiring the permanent residence permit.

As a permanent residence holder you have all the rights as a South African Citizen except for voting.

The refugee permit is not extendable to other family members.

Note:

The following Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Offices in Durban, Cape Town, Musina, Marabastad and the Pretoria Showgrounds will operate for extended hours from Monday to Friday 7h30 to 17h00. Offices will also be open on Saturdays from 8h00 -13h00 until further notice

Foreign nationals applying for refugee permits or extensions on existing permits are requested to visit Refugee Reception offices according to the following schedule:

• SADC nationals: Monday – Tuesday
• East Africa: Wednesday and Saturday 
• West Africa: Thursday 
• Asia and other countries: Friday
  

What you should do

• Apply at any nearest Home Affairs Offices
• complete forms, BI-947 and BI-29
• submit the following:
• proof of five years continuous refugee status in South Africa
• certificate from the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs that you will remain a refugee indefinitely.
  

Timeframe

It may take six months to finalise the application.

How much does it cost

This service is free.

Forms to complete

• *Application for permanent residence permit , BI-947
• *Power of attorney in respect of an application/extension of (an) immigration permit (s) or temporary residence, BI-29
  

Note: *Special specifications and requirements regarding the processing of this form apply and it may therefore not be downloaded for use as an application or registration form. All forms are available at any regional or district office of the Department.

Who to contact