Family Visas - South Africa

South Africa offers two categories of family visa which allow South African citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members to join them in the country. The South African relatives' visa caters for parents, siblings, and children, whilst the spouse or partner of a sponsor may immigrate through a South African spouse visa. In either case, candidates may apply to enter South Africa either as a temporary or permanent resident.

Relatives Visa - South Africa

Successful applicants for the either the South African life partner visa and the relative's visa are allowed to immigrate to South Africa on a permanent basis if they wish and they may seek employment and begin living and working in South Africa whenever they choose. Family permits are based entirely on the applicant's relationship to their sponsor; however, the eligibility criteria differ depending on the relative being sponsored.

Eligibility - South African Relatives Visa

South African relative visas can be issued as temporary or permanent permits; this is dependent upon the requirements of the individual. The definition of 'relative' is slightly broader and the route is open to people who are related to a South African sponsor within the second degree of kinship i.e. Grandparents, grandchildren and siblings as well as dependent children and parents. A temporary family visa generally issued for two years and requires a South African citizen or permanent resident to be a sponsor. Sponsors must be able to demonstrate that they can provide a minimum of 5000 Rand per month in order to support the applicant.

South Africa Permanent Residence Visa

When a family visa is obtained as a permanent residence visa, the definition of 'relative' applies only to those within the first degree of kinship i.e. parents and children. Where a dependent child is less than 21 yeas of age, they will need to confirm their status in South Africa within two years of reaching this age. As a general rule a sponsor must be able to demonstrate sufficient financial means to support the applicant once in South Africa.

The permanent route tends to have a longer application process, however, it should be noted that it is permissible to enter South Africa on a temporary visa in the first instance and to begin proceedings for a permanent visa whilst in the country. Dependents of a relative entering South Africa in this way are not permitted to join the main applicant under this route and would need to qualify for a South African visa in their own right.

Life Partner Visa - South African

The life partner visa or South African spousal visa allows the spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner of a South African sponsor to relocate to South Africa. The sponsor must have the status of either a South African citizen or a South African permanent Resident. The spouse visa can be obtained as either a temporary or permanent residence permit and in this case depends upon the length of the marriage or relationship.

South African Spouse Visa Benefits

The main benefit of a spouse visa for South Africa is that the eligibility requirements are based on the relationship between applicant and sponsor and that no job offer or investment needs to be made. Successful applicants for either a temporary or permanent spouse permit may undertake employment and begin living and working in South Africa as they choose. Those immigrating to South Africa permanently through this visa service will receive many of the same rights as South African citizens with some exceptions, most notably the right to vote.

Eligibility - South African Life Partner Visa

The key eligibility requirements for this South African immigration service lie in demonstrating the authenticity of the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant. Where a temporary residence permit is applied for and parties are married, the marriage certificate must be presented and in cases of unmarried life partners, an affidavit must be signed confirming the permanent and exclusive nature of the relationship. For those applying for this visa category based on a life partnership, additional evidence of cohabitation and mutual finances will be required.

When applying for a permanent life partner visa, married applicants must be able to demonstrate that the marriage has been in existence for a minimum of five years at the time of application. Similarly, life partners must be able to show that their relationship has lasted for a similar period. Furthermore, after the first two years of residency in South Africa, parties must be able to show that their relationship or marriage is still in place. If this requirement is not satisfied then the permit may be revoked. After five years, the withdrawal clause no longer applies, and any changes in marital or relationship status will not affect the parties' right to be in South Africa.

At Global Visas, our specialist South African immigration lawyers and migration consultants are dedicated to obtaining the right visa for your needs. Whether you wish to immigrate to South Africa or you are a potential sponsor, visit our online assessment form now to get your application started.