25 Mar What to Do if Your Visa Takes Too Long
Do you have travel plans that you need to finalise, but your visa application is taking longer than expected? Navigating and understanding the complexities of the South African immigration system can be frustrating, especially considering the significant administrative backlogs at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Unfortunately, the reality is that there is only so much an individual can do to fight the system. If you have exhausted all internal steps and options with no results, you might want to consider reaching out to a legal professional to directly follow up with the DHA regarding your application, and if necessary, to escalate to litigation.
What Can You Do?
Before one can opt to undergo litigation, it is important to ensure that you have exhausted all other alternative internal remedies. In the event of your application being rejected, you should request a written statement from the DHA that clearly stipulates the reason for the refusal. Afterwards, you can continue to lodge an internal appeal or review mechanisms provided by the DHA.
It is important to note that the court may not review your case if you have not first exhausted all available internal steps, unless these steps prove to be ineffective or would be the cause of undue delay. For professional assistance, JLIA helps with pending visa appeals.
When Should You Seek Professional Assistance?
If your visa application is delayed beyond the usual processing time and repeated follow-ups have not led to an outcome, you might need to consider professional legal assistance, and litigation for pending DHA applications in South Africa. At June Luna Immigration Attorneys, our experienced lawyers will assist you in obtaining your desired result through litigation. While this process may seem excessive at first, it is the most effective line of action that will guarantee an outcome to your application in a timely manner. Following the court order, a decision is usually made within 20 days. Depending on the particulars and urgency of the case, the whole process typically takes around 60 days.
Whether it’s to address pending temporary or permanent residency applications or to contest a final decision from the DHA, our attorneys are well-versed in the inner workings of the DHA and know which steps to take to guarantee the best outcome. June Luna Immigration Attorneys will review your documentation to ensure that everything is in order for your case, while offering advice and guidance on proceedings that will yield the highest likelihood of success.
CONTACT US and allow our dedicated team of attorneys at June Luna Immigration Attorneys to assist you in obtaining a timely and positive outcome on your visitor visa, business visa, or any other visa application.