Can Foreign Nationals or Asylum Seekers Get the SRD Grant?

If you’re someone a foreign national, but you want to get the SRD grant, the question “can foreign nationals or asylum seekers get the SRD grant” is a very important one.

And it’s easy to see why, because South Africa is home to many foreign nationals, asylum seekers, refugees and so on. 

Who qualifies for the SRD grant?

In order to qualify for the SRD grant, you need to:

• Be unemployed
• Have very little to no income (less than R624 per month)
• Your age should be 18-60
• You are not receiving any other SASSA grant (except Child Support Grant)
• You’re not getting UIF payments, NSFAS funding, or assistance via prisons or other government institutions

If that’s the case, then you should qualify for the SRD grant, and you will receive R370 on a monthly basis as of 2025. 

Does the legal status matter for the SRD grant?

Yes, because the SASSA, which offers the SRD grant, operates under the South African law. The immigration status of the person is a major factor. If you are a foreign national or a asylum seeker who wants the grant, you must:

• Verify your identity
• Confirm your current, legal presence in South Africa
• You must comply with the Home Affairs records
• Prevent any duplicate payments or fraud

Can a refugee apply for the SRD grant?

Yes, if you are a recognized refugee, you can apply for the SRD grant. However, you must have the official refugee status, a valid refugee ID from the Department of Home Affairs, legally reside in SA, while also being unemployed. Refugees qualify for most SASSA grants, not just the SRD grant.

Can an asylum seeker apply for the grant?

Yes, but only under certain conditions. If you have the valid Section 22 asylum seeker permit and meet all SRD requirements, you can apply for the grant. Keep in mind that asylum seekers can only access the SRD grant, not permanent grants like the Disability Grant or Child Support Grant. Permits expire often and the status of an asylum seeker is temporary, which will make the situation more challenging.

What about special permit holders?

Special permit holders like those with valid permits from Zimbabwe, Lesotho or humanitarian permits may be able to apply for the SRD grant. The permit needs to be SASSA-recognized, valid and verifiable via the Home Affairs systems. Note that the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) has been extended to November 2025, but this is likely the final extension.

Who is not eligible to apply for the SRD grant?

• People that are in SA on a visitor, study or short-term work visa are not eligible.
• Those with expired permits will have their application automatically rejected.
• Undocumented immigrants don’t qualify, even if they live in SA.
• Permanent residents can apply for all SASSA grants like citizens.

Why are foreign nationals declined? Common reasons!

• A challenge is when the Home Affairs records are not updated properly
• The permit number is not matching the ID database
• System delays
• Banking verification fails
• Incorrectly captured or expired permits
• Income detected above R624 per month through bank monitoring
• Receiving other government benefits (UIF, NSFAS, other grants)

Will you be able to appeal if the application is declined?

There’s always the option to appeal these decisions. During the appeal, you have to re-confirm legal status, provide updated info, banking and personal details, etc. You can appeal through the SASSA appeals portal at https://srd.dsd.gov.za/appeals within 30 days of your rejection. Generally, it’s important to appeal within this timeframe. 

Things to do if you don’t qualify

Even if you don’t qualify for the SRD grant, there are still various options that you can explore. Humanitarian assistance or NGO programs can be an option. You can also check the various community food relief initiatives.

Another option is to ask legal aid for permit or documentation issues. Additionally, there’s also the option to enter skill development or employment programs, where possible. 

Can you, as a foreign national, get the SRD grant?

Some people can, but only if they meet the SASSA requirements when it comes to financial, documentation and legal requirements. Things like valid permits, complying with the verification system and being a legal resident of South Africa is mandatory in these situations. 

An asylum seeker or a refugee can see the SRD grant as a lifeline. But you will need to provide accurate information, a valid permit, and also exhibit a large amount of patience. SASSA uses advanced verification systems that cross-check all bank accounts and government databases to prevent fraud. 

Practical tips

• Always make sure that your permits are up to date and valid
• Check to see if the existing Home Affairs records are correct before you submit any application
• Your banking and personal details should be very accurate and to the point
• Check your application status often at https://srd.sassa.gov.za
• If your application is denied, you have the option to appeal within 30 days
• Always ensure that you don’t work with a scam website, to protect your data – use only official SASSA channels
• Asylum seekers should use the asylum-specific portal, not the regular citizen portal
• You can check your SRD status on our main site to see whether your application is approved, pending, or declined.

If you have a valid permit and comply with the SASSA requirements, you can apply for the SRD grant. That doesn’t guarantee you will receive the grant, however. You can check your status via WhatsApp (082 046 8553), USSD (*120*69277#), or by calling 0800 60 10 11.

Conclusion

Can foreign nationals or asylum seekers get the SRD grant? That’s possible, but only under very specific, restrictive situations. Their financial situation and legal status need to match South Africa’s requirements. 

Even if this is a vital lifeline for many asylum seekers and foreign nationals, it’s still very restrictive. However, with adequate documentation, proper information, guidance and support, you will be able to get through the process. Make sure that you understand your rights and that the permits are up to date. That will help streamline the process. The SRD grant currently pays R370 per month to over 9 million beneficiaries across South Africa.