Refugees Act 130 of 1998 · confidential guidance
Refugee & Asylum Matters – Help in Kempton Park
The refugee system is strict, slow and easy to get wrong – and mistakes can cost you your status. We explain your rights and obligations in plain language, help you prepare documents, guide you through extensions, appeals and changes of status, and help recognised refugees apply for permanent residence.
[email protected]
- Expert consultationhonest, in-depth assessment
- Open 7 days08:00 – 18:00, incl. weekends
- Since 200420+ years of casework
- Glen Marais basedKempton Park, near OR Tambo
Quick answer
How does the refugee permit process work in South Africa?
Asylum in South Africa is governed by the Refugees Act 130 of 1998. A person seeking asylum must apply in person at a Refugee Reception Office and receives an asylum seeker visa while the claim is decided. If the claim succeeds, they receive refugee status; if it is rejected, there are appeal rights to the Refugee Appeals Authority. A recognised refugee who has lived in South Africa continuously for ten years, and who is certified as likely to remain a refugee indefinitely, may apply for permanent residence under Section 27(d) of the Immigration Act.
Call 073 283 7916, WhatsApp 072 561 3097, or email [email protected].
- Service
- Refugee & asylum guidance
- Legal basis
- Refugees Act 130 of 1998; s27(d) Immigration Act
- Asylum claims
- Lodged in person at an RRO
- PR for refugees
- After 10 years + certification
- Our fee
- Quoted per case after your consultation
- Confidential
- Always
01How we help
Refugee and asylum matters we assist with
We are an immigration consultancy, not a government office. Here is where our guidance makes a real difference.
01
Understanding your status
Plain-language explanation of your asylum seeker visa or refugee status, its conditions and renewal duties.
02
Document preparation
Organising statements, identity documents and supporting evidence before your Refugee Reception Office visits.
03
Appeals & reviews
Guidance on Refugee Appeals Authority processes and working with legal practitioners where needed.
04
Permanent residence (s27(d))
Preparing permanent residence applications for recognised refugees who meet the ten-year and certification requirements.
05
Moving to a mainstream visa
Assessing whether a work, spousal or other visa is a better long-term route for your situation.
02Bring these
Documents to bring to your consultation
Refugee & asylum documents
Copies are fine- Asylum seeker visa or refugee permitRequiredCurrent and previous versions
- Refugee ID or travel documentIf applicableIf issued
- Any decision lettersIf applicableRRO, Standing Committee or Appeals Authority
- Passport or national IDIf applicableIf available
- Proof of residence in South AfricaIf applicableFor permanent residence applications
Asylum claims and renewals require personal attendance at a Refugee Reception Office. No consultant can attend on your behalf, and any service that promises otherwise should be avoided.
03Protect your status
Mistakes that put refugee status at risk
Letting a permit lapse
Asylum seeker visas must be renewed on time. A lapsed permit can lead to the application being treated as abandoned.
Inconsistent statements
Differences between interviews and documents damage credibility. Prepare carefully before every appointment.
Paying for ‘fast-track’ promises
Nobody can buy refugee status or skip the queue. Use only legitimate channels.
Travelling to your home country
Returning to the country you fled can affect your refugee status. Get advice before any travel.
04Fees
What does refugee-related assistance cost?
No fixed packages – fees reflect the real complexity of your matter, and you always know the cost before you commit.
There is no fixed price list on this site on purpose. The work behind refugee-related assistance depends on your category, your family, your paperwork and your history in South Africa, so a one-size price would either overcharge simple cases or under-prepare complex ones.
Your consultation is a paid, in-depth session with an experienced consultant – not a sales call. The consultation fee is confirmed when you book, before anything is charged, and you leave with real answers whether or not you go ahead with us. If you want us to handle the application, that work is quoted in writing before it starts. Government (Department of Home Affairs) and VFS Global fees are separate, set by them and paid directly.
Not sure you need a consultation? WhatsApp a short question to 072 561 3097 and we will tell you honestly whether you do. If a simple renewal is all you need, we will say so.
What your consultation gives you
- A full review of your documents and immigration history
- The exact visa or permit route we recommend, and why
- A personalised document checklist you keep
- Honest risks and realistic timelines – stated up front
- A written quote for any application work, with no obligation
What shapes the fee for your case?
Visa category
A visitor's visa extension is far simpler than a business visa or permanent residence.
Number of applicants
Spouses, children and dependants each need their own documents and forms.
Document readiness
Whether certificates, clearances, translations and apostilles are already in hand.
Case history
Previous refusals, overstays, undesirable status or a change of status add work.
Urgency
Tight deadlines – such as a 10-working-day appeal window – need priority handling.
Independent consultancy. Immigration Galore SA CC is a private immigration consultancy. We are not the Department of Home Affairs or VFS Global. Decisions are made by Home Affairs, and no consultant can lawfully guarantee an outcome – what we guarantee is a complete, correct and well-motivated application.
05How it works
From first question to final outcome in 5 steps
One consultant guides your case from the first conversation to the decision letter.
Book your consultation
Call, WhatsApp or send the form to book. In your consultation we review your full situation and documents, and tell you honestly which visa or permit route fits – and whether you qualify.
Written route & document list
You get a personalised checklist for your exact category, with notes on certificates, translations, clearances and the order to collect them in.
Fee agreed before work starts
Because no two cases are the same, we quote your professional fee in writing once we understand the complexity. Government and VFS fees are shown separately.
Pack prepared & checked
We draft motivation letters and forms, check every page against the Immigration Regulations and book your VFS Global appointment.
Submit, track & follow up
We track the application with VFS and Home Affairs, answer requests for more information and explain the outcome – including next steps if you need to appeal.
06Why Immigration Galore
Why families and employers choose Immigration Galore
Immigration is too important for guesswork. This is what working with us looks like.
Since 2004
More than 20 years of South African immigration casework – through every major change to the Immigration Act and Regulations.
An honest assessment first
If you do not qualify yet, we tell you plainly – before you spend money on an application – and show you what would change the answer.
Checked before it reaches VFS
Most refusals come from missing, expired or wrong documents. Every page is checked against the current requirements before submission.
Open 7 days a week
We are available Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00, including weekends, so you can consult without taking leave from work.
One consultant, start to finish
The person who assesses your case is the person who prepares it and follows it up. You never have to repeat your story.
Local in Glen Marais
Based in Kempton Park, minutes from the R21 and OR Tambo, with clients across Gauteng and the rest of South Africa.
07Related services
Clients who ask about this often need these too
Immigration routes connect. These are the services most often combined with this one.
PermanentPermanent Residence
Section 26 and 27 permanent residence: work, spouse, child, critical skills, business, retired and financially independent.
- Route & eligibility assessment
- Police & medical clearances
- Long-wait follow-ups
AppealsAppeals & Reviews
Visa or permit refused? Section 8 appeals to the Director-General and the Minister, drafted against the exact refusal reasons.
- Refusal letter analysed
- 10-working-day deadline managed
- Undesirable status upliftment
WaiversWaivers & Exemptions
Section 31(2)(c) waivers and exceptional-circumstance applications when a standard requirement cannot be met.
- Good-cause motivation letters
- Change of status from inside SA
- Missing-document waivers
WorkWork Visas
General work, critical skills and intra-company transfer visas for employees and the companies hiring them.
- Critical Skills List checks
- SAQA & professional body steps
- Employer compliance advice
08Service area
Refugee and asylum guidance for Kempton Park, Tembisa and Gauteng
Immigration Galore works from Glen Marais in Kempton Park, a few minutes from the R21 and R25 and about 15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. Clients meet us in person by appointment, or handle the whole process by phone, WhatsApp and email – which is how we assist people in Cape Town, Durban and abroad.
Getting to us
- R21 and R25 – a few minutes from our office
- OR Tambo International Airport – about 15 minutes
- Kempton Park CBD and Kempton Park Home Affairs – about 10 minutes
- Benoni, Boksburg, Germiston and Midrand – 20 to 30 minutes
Kempton Park suburbs and nearby towns we serve
- Glen Marais
- Birchleigh
- Birchleigh North
- Norkem Park
- Edleen
- Van Riebeeck Park
- Terenure
- Esther Park
- Kempton Park CBD
- Rhodesfield
- Aston Manor
- Pomona
- Bonaero Park
- Isando
- Spartan
- Jet Park
- Tembisa
- Olifantsfontein
- Midrand
- Edenvale
- Benoni
- Boksburg
- Germiston
- Johannesburg
Outside Gauteng? Most of our work can be done by phone, WhatsApp and email – call 073 283 7916 to confirm.
09FAQs
Refugee Permit FAQs
Straight answers to the questions our clients ask most.
Where do I apply for asylum in Gauteng?
Asylum applications must be made in person at a Refugee Reception Office of the Department of Home Affairs. In Gauteng, this is the Refugee Reception Office in Pretoria. We help you prepare before you go.
Can you apply for asylum on my behalf?
No. Asylum applications and renewals require your personal attendance at a Refugee Reception Office. We help you understand the process and prepare your documents.
Can refugees get permanent residence in South Africa?
Yes. Under Section 27(d) of the Immigration Act, a refugee who has lived in South Africa continuously for ten years and is certified by the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs as likely to remain a refugee indefinitely may apply for permanent residence.
Can asylum seekers work in South Africa?
The right to work for asylum seekers depends on the conditions endorsed on the asylum seeker visa under the amended Refugees Act. We explain the conditions on your document.
My asylum claim was rejected – what can I do?
Rejection decisions can generally be appealed to the Refugee Appeals Authority within strict time limits. Seek advice immediately.
Can I switch from refugee status to a work or spousal visa?
In some cases, a different visa may be a better long-term option. This depends on your circumstances and the law at the time, so we assess it individually.
Is my consultation confidential?
Yes. Everything you share is treated as strictly confidential and used only to advise you.
What does assistance cost?
Our fee depends on the work involved and is quoted once we understand your situation. Asylum applications at a Refugee Reception Office are free of charge from Home Affairs.
10Consultation
Book your immigration consultation
Tell us where you stand and what you need. A consultant replies within one business day – usually the same day – with the recommended next step and the consultation fee for your matter. No obligation to book. Prefer to talk? Call 073 283 7916.
Consulting hours
- Monday08:00 – 18:00
- Tuesday08:00 – 18:00
- Wednesday08:00 – 18:00
- Thursday08:00 – 18:00
- Friday08:00 – 18:00
- Saturday08:00 – 18:00
- Sunday08:00 – 18:00
South African time (SAST). Office visits by appointment.
Find Immigration Galore in Glen Marais, Kempton Park
Glen Marais, Kempton Park, 1619 – in north Kempton Park, close to the R21 and R25 and about 15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. Office consultations are by appointment.
Mon–Sun 08:00–18:00 · 7 days a week