Following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of prioritising “Afrikaners” for a refugee programme due to dodgy concerns over land expropriation policies, the South African Chamber of Commerce in the United States was inundated with inquiries about resettlement.
This surge suggests that potentially more than 50 000 people are considering leaving South Africa.
However, the number of South Africans seeking asylum abroad is not a new trend.
According to the UNHCR Statistical Online Population Database which tracks involuntary emigration, there are 6,474 South African refugees living abroad since 2024.
This number has increased over the past 10 years, from 953 in 2014 to 5,702 in 2023.
POPULAR COUNTRIES SOUTH AFRICAN REFUGEES SEEK ASYLUM
The rise in citizens applying for refugee status in other countries was highlighted by Stats SA’s Migration Profile Report for South Africa: A Country Profile 2023.
South African citizens seeking asylum abroad often choose countries like the United States, Ireland, Australia and Canada.
Here is a breakdown of the destinations for South African asylum seekers based on 2023 data:
- United States: In 2021, it was the primary destination with 1 370 South Africans seeking refuge. This number remained high in 2022 at 1 351.
- Ireland: Another prominent destination, with 638 applications in 2021 and an increase to 726 in 2022.
- Australia: Received a rising number of applications from South Africans – 495 in 2021 and up to 525 in 2022.
- Canada: Saw significant growth from receiving just 187 refugee applications in 2021 to having more than triple that amount by the end of 2022.
Additionally, smaller numbers have sought asylum in countries such as Israel (391 applicants), Brazil, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The motivations behind these asylum claims are varied but are often largely driven by political, economic, social, and environmental reasons.
MEETING THE CRITERIA FOR REFUGEE STATUS
It is not an easy process to get refugee status as a South African as the world does not see South Africa as a dangerous country.
According to the Mail & Guardian, Brandon Huntley, one of SA’s most prominent — or infamous — asylum seekers entered Canada on a temporary work visa in 2004. He alleged that he was being targeted in South Africa because of his skin colour. He claimed he had been assaulted and stabbed seven times by black people because of his race but never reported his alleged attackers or incidents of racism to the police.
In 2014, a Canadian court determined that Brandon Huntley no longer qualified for refugee status. His application was denied because he had not exhausted all available avenues for protection in his home country before seeking asylum in Canada.
Obtaining status as a refugee is a complex process.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, there are key elements of the eligibility criteria for refugee status.
South African’s wanting to qualify for refugee status, must show a well-founded fear of harm if they return to their home country.
This fear must be linked to race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. The harm must be serious enough to be considered persecution and the applicant must have strong proof to back up their claims.
Evidence for refugee claims can include various documents like police reports, medical records, witness affidavits, photographs, news articles, and human rights reports.
While your personal testimony is important, it may not be sufficient on its own to prove persecution.
WILL YOU ATTEMPT TO GET REFUGEE STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES?
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