The Department of Home Affairs has announced that it will
no longer require a repatriation deposit as a
condition for issuing a temporary residence
visa.
Previously, under the now repealed Immigration Regulations,
2005, individuals who wished to be granted a temporary residence
visa could be called upon to pay a repatriation deposit, which
would be refunded after their departure or once they had been
granted a permanent residence permit.
Now, anyone who paid a repatriation deposit before 26 May 2014
may, before the deadline of 28 February 2015,
approach any South African Mission in his or her country of origin
for a refund.
Those seeking a refund within the Republic of South Africa at
the Department of Home Affairs will however, only be granted a
refund under exceptional circumstances whereby a
person has acquired a permanent residence permit or has changed his
or her status in the Republic of South Africa prior to 26
May 2014.
