Address - How Can I Report My Change Of Address To RSC (Whilst Still In South Africa)?
You need to email SouthAfrica@cwsafrica.org, as follows:
Subject: Case Number ***************
Please be advised of the following changes :
My address - was **********
New Address from date - *******************
New Address is **********************
Tell them about any other changes
Yours sincerely
*****************
+27****************
Emiail *****************************
Full Explanation Below:
For refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa who are part of the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), reporting a change of address to RSC Africa is very important.
Many applicants move during the refugee process. Some people move because rent becomes too expensive. Others move because of safety concerns, family support, work opportunities, or problems with landlords. Some refugees may move from one township, suburb, city, or province to another while waiting for their case to continue.
Even if the move is only inside South Africa, applicants should still inform RSC Africa as soon as possible.
The refugee process often takes months or even years. During this time, RSC Africa may need to contact applicants quickly regarding interviews, medical appointments, security processing, or travel preparation. If your address is outdated, communication problems can happen very easily.
Why Your South African Address Mattes
Your address in South Africa helps RSC Africa understand:
- Where you currently live
- Which city or province you are in
- How to contact you
- Which clinic or processing location may be closest to you
- Whether you can attend scheduled appointments
Your South African address becomes part of your refugee case information.
Even if you move only a short distance, your records should still be updated.
Common Reasons Refugees Move Inside South Africa
Many refugees experience unstable living conditions while waiting for case processing.
Common reasons for moving include:
- High rent costs
- Evictions
- Xenophobia or discrimination
- Family problems
- Job opportunities
- Safety concerns
- Moving closer to relatives
- Better schools for children
- Lack of transport money
- Shared housing arrangements ending
Some refugees may move several times during the refugee process. This is understandable, but every move should still be reported.
Problems That Can Happen If You Do Not Update Your Address
Missing Important Communication
RSC Africa may contact applicants regarding:
- USCIS interview dates
- Security checks
- Medical examinations
- DNA requests
- Cultural Orientation
- Travel preparation
- Requests for documents
If your address or phone number is outdated,
you may miss important updates.
Some applicants only discover months later that they missed communication because RSC Africa could not reach them.
Delays in Your Refugee Case
When an applicant cannot be contacted, the case may slow down.
For example:
- Emails may bounce back
- Phone numbers may stop working
- Appointment notices may not reach the applicant
- Officials may need extra time to locate the family
Even small delays can sometimes affect scheduling and processing timelines.Problems With Medical Appointments
Medical examinations are an important part of refugee processing.
If you move from Durban to Johannesburg, or from Cape Town to another province, your medical arrangements may need adjustment.
If RSC Africa does not know you moved, confusion can happen regarding:
- Clinic locations
- Appointment scheduling
- Transport planning
- Medical follow-up communication
Keeping your address updated helps avoid these problems.
Moving to Another Province
Some refugees move between provinces while waiting for their case.
For example:
- KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng
- Western Cape to Eastern Cape
- Limpopo to Durban
- Johannesburg to Cape Town
These moves should always be reported.
Your new location may affect:
- Interview scheduling
- Medical processing locations
- Communication methods
- Transportation arrangements
RSC Africa needs accurate information to continue processing your case correctly.
Temporary Moves Should Also Be Considered
Sometimes refugees stay temporarily with family or friends because of financial hardship or emergencies.
Even temporary changes may matter if:
- You will stay there for several weeks or months
- Your phone access changes
- Your email access changes
- You may miss appointments or calls
If you are unsure whether to report a temporary move, it is usually safer to inform RSC Africa.
What Information Should Be Updated?
When reporting a new South African address, applicants should try to provide:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Case number
- Old address
- New address
- New phone number
- Updated email address if applicable
- Names of family members on the case
Providing complete information helps prevent mistakes.
Phone Numbers Are Also Important
Many refugees in South Africa change phone numbers often because:
- SIM cards are lost
- Airtime becomes expensive
- Phones are stolen
- Networks change
- Financial problems occur
However, RSC Africa must still be able to contact applicants.
If your number changes, update it immediately together with your address.
Keep Your Email Active
Email communication is now very common in refugee processing.
Applicants should:
- Use an email address they check regularly
- Remember their password
- Check spam or junk folders
- Inform RSC Africa if the email changes
Missing one important email can create major delays.
Family Members Living Separately
Sometimes refugee families inside South Africa live in different places temporarily.
For example:
- Children staying with relatives
- A spouse working in another city
- Family members separated because of housing problems
These situations should also be explained to RSC Africa when necessary.
Accurate family information helps avoid confusion later during processing.
Reporting Changes Shows Cooperation
Keeping your information updated shows that you are cooperating with the refugee process.
It helps RSC Africa:
- Contact you faster
- Schedule appointments properly
- Keep your case accurate
- Avoid unnecessary delays
Good communication can make the process smoother for both applicants and processing staff.
Keep Proof of Your Communication
Whenever you report an address change:
- Save emails
- Take screenshots
- Keep SMS messages
- Write down dates and names
- Save reference numbers if provided
Keeping records protects you if communication problems happen later.
Final Thoughts
Refugees in South Africa often face difficult living situations, and moving from one place to another is common. However, every address change should still be reported to RSC Africa as quickly as possible.
Even if you are still inside South Africa, your location matters during refugee processing.
Updating your address and contact information helps ensure that:
- You receive important case updates
- You do not miss appointments
- Your processing continues smoothly
- RSC Africa can reach you when needed
Good communication is an important part of protecting your refugee case while waiting in South Africa for possible resettlement to the United States.
With Love
Accidental Refugee
Source:
U.S. Embassy in South Africa (USRAP Information)