If your asylum seeker permit or refugee status has expired, or is due to expire, during lockdown (from 15 March 2020 onwards), it is considered to have been extended up to, and including, 30 June 2021.
This was officially confirmed by Directions and Amended Directions Gazetted by the Department of Home Affairs. You can read these Directions and Amended Directions
AMENDMENT OF DIRECTIONS ISSUED IN TERMS OF REGULATION 4(8) AND (10) OF THE REGULATIONS MADE UNDER SECTION 27(2) OF THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2002 (ACT NO. 57 OF 2002): MEASURES TO PREVENT AND COMBAT THE SPREAD OF COVID -19 published 26 March 2021 .
The Department of Home Affairs has also indicated that they will begin an online renewal process for asylum seeker and refugee documentation. However, this process does NOT exist at this time. Once we know more about this process and when it will begin, we will share more information on social media and our website. We hope to provide assistance to clients who may experience difficulties or access issues with the upcoming online renewal process.
It is important to note that Home Affairs has confirmed in its Directions that “all the rights, benefits and obligations of asylum seekers and refugees remain the same. The refugee and asylum seeker permits that expired during lockdown will not be subject to any penalties."
Refugee Reception Offices:
Refugee Reception Offices have not offered any face-to-face services since they closed at the beginning of lockdown. Should Sa Migration receive any news about the reopening of services at Refugee Reception Offices, we will update this webpage and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/visasamigration.