03 Nov Home Affairs Forms Explained: 49, 23 & BI-947
In South Africa, submitting a visa application requires a lot of intricate administrative work that can easily get confusing. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) are notorious for being inconsistent and not following up on queries. This, in combination with often outdated information online, can make compiling a correct and complete application quite challenging if you are not already familiar with the procedures.
See below the most common application forms from the DHA, what they mean, and what they are used for:
Form 49: Appeal to the Director General
Form 49 serves as the official Notice of Appeal used in South Africa to challenge a rejected visa, permit, or permanent residence application from the DHA. Governed by Section 8(4) and (6) of the Immigration Act, this form enables applicants to ask the Director-General or Minister of Home Affairs to review an unfavourable decision. The most common reason appeals get rejected is due to applicants submitting the form without comprehensive written representations that directly answer the original refusal reasons.
Form 23 (DHA-1721): Notice to Appear Before Director-General
Officially known as DHA-1721, this form is a notice issued by a South African immigration officer or sheriff who requires a person to appear before the Director-General under the Immigration Act. This form formally summons the recipient to report at a specific date, time, and office for an interview or inquiry. This form is often handed to applicants as proof that they have submitted an authorisation application or ‘good cause letter’ while in the process of dealing with visa or status issues.
Form BI-947 (DHA-947): Permanent Resident Permit
Form BI-947 (also known as Form 18 or DHA-947) is the official application form required to apply for a Permanent Resident Permit. The form covers details of the applicant, their spouse, and dependents. It also includes criminal records, past deportations, and insolvency declarations. This form needs to be submitted in person either at a designated DHA regional office with an immigration services division, via VFS Global, or at a South African embassy or consulate if applying from abroad. These applications are most commonly rejected due to incomplete or missing supporting documentation, failure to maintain a valid temporary residence throughout the processing period, or weak or inconsistent proof of any category-specific criteria.
At June Luna Immigration Attorneys, our skilled and knowledgeable team of lawyers is familiar with the DHA and has a track record of successfully obtaining desired results for our clients. Whether you require expert guidance through the application process or forcing an outcome on your application through litigation, our team will ensure the best possibility of success.
CONTACT US today to book a consultation with one of June Luna Immigration Attorney’s experienced lawyers. We offer experienced guidance on how to handle your South African immigration application in a way that will save you both time and money.