Who should I contact to submit an overstay appeal application?

The long answer

Unfortunately, your experience of phone calls going unanswered by Home Affairs is the common experience. It can take several weeks or longer for Home Affairs to respond to an overstay appeal.

I have gathered the following phone numbers to call Home Affairs and verify receipt of the overstay appeal from dirco.gov.za and Home Affairs. It may be that you will get lucky with one of them:

1. DHA Overstay Appeals line: 012 406 4985.

2. The Department of International Relations & Cooperation and the Department of Home Affairs give the following numbers to contact IMS Deportations at:

+27 12 406 7055

+27 12 406 4531

+27 12 406 7071

+27 12 406 4407

 +27 12 406 4586.

 +27 12 406 2500

You can email Home Affairs at hacc@dha.gov.za or info@dha.gov.za.

Because of all the delays in processing appeals and applications, many applicants were at risk of overstaying their visas through no fault of their own. So Home Affairs amended its Immigration Directive No. 7 of 2026 on 30 March 2026, to extend existing visas till 30 June 2027. This concession applies to visa applications, waiver applications, appeal applications and specific long-term applications.

This protects eligible visa appeal applicants from being penalised for overstaying while waiting for their outcomes. It ensures that they stay compliant while awaiting the outcome of their appeals.

So you should remain legally compliant while you wait for the confirmation of receipt of your overstay appeal.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie