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Refugees Act, 1998 (Act No. 130 of 1998)

Chapter 5 : Rights and Obligations of Refugees and Asylum Seekers

27. Protection and general rights of refugees

 

A refugee is entitled to—

(a) a formal written recognition of refugee status in the prescribed form;
(b) full legal protection, which includes the rights set out in Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, except those rights that only apply to citizens;
(c) apply for permanent residence in terms of section 27(d) or 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act after ten years of continuous residence in the Republic from the date on which he or she was granted asylum, if the Standing Committee, after considering all the relevant factors and within a reasonable period of time, including efforts made to secure peace and stability in the refugee's country of origin, certifies that he or she would remain a refugee indefinitely;

[Section 27(c) substituted by section 23 of Notice No. 1452, GG 41343, dated 18 December 2017]

(d) an identity document referred to in section 30;
(e) a travel document if he or she applies in the prescribed manner; and
(f) seek employment.