AfriForum often receives enquiries about refugee status because people feel increasingly unsafe. The civil rights organisation is convinced that Afrikaners – who know no other home – are able to lead a meaningful and sustainable existence in peace with other communities, here on the southernmost tip of Africa. Even if you are worried about the future, we strongly discourage you to try and obtain refugee status in another country.  

Refugee status is a very limiting status and surely isn’t an easy way to emigrate. Refugees enjoy fewer rights in the host country than immigrants do, while refugees in most countries are prohibited from working or living where they choose to. They may not cross borders and also lose their refugee status if they voluntarily return to their home country. The host country also retains the right to decide at any time that the danger in the country of origin has passed and to order the refugee to return home. It is therefore a status without guarantee of long-term security. Moreover, of you have been a refugee once or have applied for refugee status, it would be internationally very difficult to obtain a visa, as you would be perceived as a risk who might possibly become an illegal immigrant.

People who want to emigrate are therefore encouraged to rather follow the legal channels – the “short cut” of refugee status is simply a very dangerous way out.