Asylum seekers in SA are protected under the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 and the 1951 Geneva Convention. A Section 22 permit is issued on first application, followed by Refugee Status Determination Officer (RSDO) interviews. Successful applicants are recognised as refugees under Section 24. Appeals to the Refugee Appeals Authority (RAA) are common. Court review under PAJA is available after RAA refusal.
When to hire a asylum & refugee status attorney
- Your asylum claim has been rejected at RSDO or RAA stage.
- You are facing deportation and need urgent Section 22 reinstatement.
- You want to transition from refugee status to permanent residence.
- You need to review a UNHCR/RAA decision in the High Court.
- Family members need to join you as dependants of a refugee.
What to expect
Asylum claims involve detailed fact-finding: country-of-origin information, evidence of specific persecution, and credibility assessment. RSDO interviews can be challenging - preparation with an attorney is critical. Appeal periods are short (typically 10-30 days). Refugees recognised under Section 24 can later apply for PR.
Typical fees
RSDO/RAA representation: R10,000-R40,000. High Court review: R40,000-R150,000. Detention/deportation emergencies: R20,000-R100,000.
Verified attorneys
No attorneys match your filters.
No attorneys have self-selected this specialisation yet.
Browse all Immigration Law attorneys here →