South Africa Visas

South Africa is an exhilarating and multicultural country. With its post-apartheid identity there is undoubtedly an abundance of energy and a sense of progress about the place. The infrastructure is constantly improving, the climate is kind and there are few better places to see Africa's wildlife.

South Africa also has a skills shortage in the IT and engineering fields and it offers foreign nationals a chance to invest inn property within the country. South Africa offers a range of temporary residence permits for those who wish to visit, work or study in South Africa and a range of permanent immigration solutions are available for those who wish to immigrate to South Africa on a permanent basis.

Short Stay South African Visas

South African Visitor Visa

South African visitor visas are intended for those who wish to visit the country as a tourist or to visit family and friends. The visitor's visa or the tourist visas are granted for a maximum period of three months after which the candidate will be obliged to return to their country of residence. Generally a South African visit visa does not permit its holder to work in South Africa, studying is permitted for short courses which do not exceed the visa's 3 month duration.

Studying in South Africa - Applying for a South African Study Permit

The South African study visa is awarded for the duration of the course concerned and allows an applicant to temporarily live and study in South Africa. A South African study visa is not intended as a route to permanent immigration to South Africa, however, an applicant's spouse and/or dependents may join them in the country and the main applicant may work in South Africa in a part time position for up to 20 hours per week.

Working in South Africa - Applying for a South African Work Permit

Candidates who wish to live and work in South Africa will need to obtain South African Work Permits which allow their holders to perform a specific job for a named South African employer. In South Africa, work permit applications are employer based and depend upon a candidate having a firm offer of employment. South African work permits are not intended for permanent residency however those candidates who spend five years or more in the country under a work permit visa status may apply for permanent settlement.

Family Immigration Services - Spouse Immigration and Family Visas

Immigration to South Africa on a temporary or permanent basis is available through a family based route where an applicant is the spouse or life partner of an existing South African citizen or South African permanent resident. Family immigration is also permitted for other relatives within the first or second degree of kinship, depending on whether they are applying for temporary or permanent residence.

South African Retirement Permit

Retiring in South Africa is becoming a popular option for many and candidates under this scheme will be awarded the retirement visa on a temporary or permanent basis in South Africa. Candidates who hold this visa may decide to reside in the country continuously or to live on a seasonal basis. Generally temporary retirement visa, issued for four years, may be extended in increments of four years as required.

Temporary or Permanent Residence in South Africa?

Many types of visa for South Africa can be issued as either a temporary or permanent permit and there are different advantages to each visa. A temporary residence permit can be processed a lot quicker than an application for permanent residence, and a common practice is to immigrate to South Africa on a temporary residence permanent initially, before applying within the country for the permanent equivalent. The main advantage of a permanent residence is that permanent residents enjoy many of the same rights and privileges afforded to South African citizens, with some exceptions such as the right to vote.

Global Visas is a leading immigration and visa agencies with an eclectic and qualified team of immigration experts and lawyers. If you would like to find out if you qualify for any of the abovementioned visas, take our online assessment now and a consultant will be in touch with you.