Bringing you immigration news as it happens
Visa updates
Long term visa holders are urged to book their renewal visa applications online with VFS or through a registered immigration agent as soon as possible. According to Immigration Law, visa applications need to be lodged 90 days in advance of the 31st July cut-off date. That means you will need to have booked your appointment date by the end of April 2020. I’m forewarning you that appointments at VFS offices are fast filling up for this time period and many clients will have to resort to premium lounge bookings (extra R500) when the ‘normal appointment blocks’ are full. Remember that VFS is limited in the numbers of applicants entering their buildings daily during this Covid pandemic so there are considerably fewer appointments to be had. There is still no news on when you can start submitting your PR applications but you can expect a rush on appointment blocks once DHA opens this door again.
Asylum and refugee status holders
Details have been released through the press on how to renew and update your documents online. Take advantage of this new system, it could be the way the future goes. It looks unlikely that the Refugee Centres will be opening anytime soon. New applications can be done through port of entry centres. Renewal and appeals can be completed online or through a trusted immigration agent.
Yours in immigration
Tania Copeland