Home affairs extends validity of asylum seekers, refugee status The online extension is aimed at providing the extension of the visa service in a manner that contributes to limiting the spread of COVID-19, said the Department of Home Affairs, in a statement on Thursday. Source Thursday, 06 May 2021, 15:52 Qualifying asylum seekers and refugees have until 30 June 2021 to renew their expired visas and status online. NATIONAL NEWS - Qualifying asylum seekers and refugees have until 30 June 2021 to renew their expired visas and status online. Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, extended the validity of asylum seeker visas and refugee statuses which expired during the lockdown to 30 June 2021.