South Africa: Home Affairs to renew Angolan Special Permit as deadline looms
Published: 6/Aug/2021
Source: GroundUp (Cape Town)
Online application at the Visa Facilitation Services expected to start on 16 August and could take eight weeks to process
By Tariro Washinyira
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on Thursday invited about 5,000 qualifying Angolan nationals to apply for the Angolan Exemption Permit. The Angolan Special Permit (ASP) was first issued in 2018 and expires at the end of this year. The conditions of the permit state that it cannot be extended, and its conditions cannot be changed. The exemption permit will be extended for those who already have an ASP.
Online application at Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) begins on 16 August 2021 and could take eight weeks to process.
Applications are open to those issued with the Angolan Cessation Permit (ACP) but did not apply for the ASP, ASP holders, Angolan refugees or asylum seekers who were issued with Section 24 or Section 22 permits before 31 August 2013.
In a statement, Home Affairs said that spouses and children of the affected Angolan nationals will also be allowed to apply for visas or permits after the main member has obtained an exemption permit.
Applicants are required to submit Proof of Refugee or Asylum Seeker permit issued before 31 August 2013; a copy of the ACP or ASP; an Angolan passport valid for more than 12 months from date of application; and VFS processing fee of R1,090.
Read further: https://www.groundup.org.za/article/home-affairs-renew-angolan-special-permit-amid-looming-deadline/