South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs plans to introduce a phased, biometric-based asylum application system by 10 November 2026, following operational challenges triggered by the implementation of a Constitutional Court judgment on asylum seekers.
Also see: Home Affairs warns disinformation about asylum seekers could fuel violence
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced the proposed registration and appointment model on Sunday, 11 October, as government seeks to manage asylum applications while complying with the court order.
The system will allow applicants to register their intention to seek asylum through an online platform, receive a receipt and book an appointment at a refugee reception office.
Assisted registration will also be available at these offices and, upon request, for people held in police or immigration detention.
The receipt will contain applicants’ personal details, biometric information, a reference number and an appointment date. However, it will not constitute a visa or automatically grant refugee status.
BREAKING NEWS🚨
Asylum Seekers With Valid Application Receipts Not to Be Arrested Solely for Lacking Visas
IMC Chairperson Mmamoloko Kubayi says Home Affairs will introduce a new asylum registration system under which officials and SAPS will be instructed not to arrest or detain asylum-seekers solely for being in South Africa without a visa if they have a valid receipt proving their intention to apply for asylum.
The system is expected to be introduced by 10 November 2026.
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) October 11, 2026
Also see: Claims of over 3 million refugees and asylum seekers applying for SASSA relief grants divide Mzansi
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the department was developing a digital platform to improve identity verification and prevent rejected applicants from repeatedly submitting claims to delay their removal.
“This biometric platform will require anyone who wants to apply for asylum to upload biometrics, which we will then verify,” Schreiber said, according to SABC News.
Home Affairs is developing a biometric online platform to speed up asylum applications, strengthen identity verification and prevent rejected applicants from repeatedly submitting claims to delay their removal.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the platform, expected to be operational by 10 November 2026, would help the department address longstanding inefficiencies in the asylum system while strengthening immigration law enforcement.
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— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 11, 2026
The announcement follows the withdrawal of a directive issued by Home Affairs director-general Livhuwani Makhode on 28 September, after refugee reception offices were overwhelmed by applicants.
In a statement published by SAnews, the department said the immediate implementation of the court judgment had “serious consequences that could not have been foreseen in the Court order”, including risks to officials and threats to public safety.
The Constitutional Court’s 7 July judgment addressed procedural barriers that prevented some people from accessing the asylum system, including those who entered South Africa irregularly or failed to meet certain reporting requirements.
As explained in the government’s official briefing, the ruling does not automatically grant refugee status or permanent residence.
The government has also reiterated that immigration enforcement will continue. People whose asylum claims have been finally rejected after the relevant review or appeal processes may still be deported in accordance with the law.
The proposed system is intended to improve the orderly processing of applications while strengthening identity checks and addressing pressure on refugee reception offices.
Originally published by African Insider.
Also see: Durban refugee camp cleared as asylum seekers relocated to Lindela
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