Published: 22.10.2026
Following a Constitutional Court judgment, refugee reception offices must process applications from people who entered irregularly or lacked certain documents at the initial stage. The government also announced an online appointment system from 10 November, with appointment receipts intended to protect applicants from arrest or deportation pending a final decision.
The judgment removes procedural barriers to entering the asylum system, but it does not automatically grant refugee status, residence rights, or indefinite permission to remain; each claim must still be assessed on its merits. According to sources, online appointments and a receipt confirming the appointment should make access to the process more practical and reduce the risk of arrest while an application is pending. This primarily affects asylum seekers already in South Africa, including people who entered irregularly or lacked initial documentation. It does not directly change visa requirements for ordinary work, study, or family relocation, so it matters mainly to people seeking international protection.