South Africa Immigration and Visas

Professional Services, Including Immigration Consultation and Legal Services

Short- to Long-Term Residence in South Africa

South Africa was recently ranked third in Rand Merchant Bank’s report on “Where to Invest in Africa”. This reinforces the “Rainbow Nation’s” reputation as a popular immigration destination.

Factors that influence your decision to immigrate to South Africa could include breathtaking scenery, from semi-desert landcapes to lush mountain ranges.

South Africa has one of the fastest growing economies on the continent, thanks to its plentiful natural resources. The country’s diverse population welcomes immigrants from around the globe, so you’ll always feel at home.

Take a look at the visas available and contact our South Africa visas experts to help you through the immigration process, from the types of visas that suit your purpose to the completion of VFS submission forms.

Immigrate to South Africa today!

Work Visa

Work Visa

South Africa work visas are available to those who want to work in the country on a short-term, long-term, or permanent basis. There are four types of work visas in South Africa:

  • Critical Skills Visa
  • Short-Term Work Visa
  • General Work Visa
  • Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa
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Business Investment Visa

Business Investment Visa

Business Investment Visas are for business owners who want to live in South Africa permanently. To submit for a Business Investment Visa in South Africa, you must first open your business and then submit the required forms.

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Visitors and Tourist Visa

Visitors and Tourist Visa

There are short-term and long-term tourist visas in South Africa. Visas are only granted for leisure purposes. It’s important to know if you come from a country that is visa-restricted or visa exempt.

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Study Visa

Study Visa

Study visas are available for international students who are going to study in South Africa, including minors still attending primary or high school and university students.

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Retirement Visa

Retirement Visa

Retirement visas are available for foreigners whose only intention is to retire in South Africa. Your purpose is not to pick up post-retirement work, study, or volunteering.

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Family and Partner Visas

Family and Partner Visas

Family and Partner visas are available for spouses, life partners and minor children. You must either be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or long-term visitor to be eligible.

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Permanent Residence Permit

Permanent Residence Permit

The Permanent Residence Permit allows the holder various advantages, including security from future immigration law changes, entering the job market on equal grounds as a South African citizen, feeling at home in South Africa, and fewer banking and financial limitations.

Our South Africa visa and Immigration specialists will consult and advise you on the submission process step-by-step.

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South Africa Visa Requirements, Forms & Documentation

Work Visas

Requirements specific to work visa applications include a contract of employment, proof of qualification (confirmed by SAQA), an employer letter confirming permanent employment, proof of registration with a professional body, and testimonials from previous employers.

Business Investment Visas

Business owners must provide documentation that includes a certificate from a chartered or professional accountant registered with SAICA and SAIPA respectively. This confirms the owner has R5 million in cash and capital to invest in South Africa, a business plan for the short- and long-term, and proof of registration with the relevant professional body, board, or council.

Visitors and Tourist Visa

There are short- and long-term Visitor/Tourist South Africa visas and each has different requirements. Short-term visa applications require a completed BI-84 form, proof of short-term stay (a return airline ticket), and a statement confirming that you are in South Africa for leisure only, as well as the duration of your stay.

Long-term visas cover extended stays by foreign journalists, visiting professors, and volunteers, for example. Each purpose has its requirements, but generally include documentation from the host and the visitor’s country of residence.

Study Visa

Study visas are for minors attending school and tertiary students. Documentation requirements include an official acceptance letter, medical insurance, and proof of financial means. Students can work up to 20 hours per week to supplement their income. Special permission isn’t necessary.

Retirement Visa

Should you wish to retire to South Africa you will need documents to prove independent income, for example, pension confirmation. Income must be at least R37,000 per month. Medical and radiological reports are essential, as are a current passport and marriage certificate (if necessary). Submissions must include proof of accommodation.

Family and Partner Visas

Family members who are going to join you in South Africa need the following documentation; proof of relationship , including a marriage certificate, affidavit proving life partnership, and evidence such as joint accounts, photographs, and letters from friends. Proof that their partner has the financial means to support them, and a letter of support from their partner who is a South African citizen, permanent resident, or main visa holder.

Permanent Residence Permit

The Permanent Residence Permit allows the holder various advantages, including security from future immigration law changes, entering the job market on equal grounds as a South African citizen, feeling at home in South Africa, and fewer banking and financial limitations.
Our South Africa visa and Immigration specialists will consult you on the submission process step-by-step.

South Africa Visa Costs

South Africa visa costs vary, depending on type. It’s important to contact your IBN Immigration Solutions Consultant to ensure you understand the fees and related costs for your specific visa.

How to Submit for a South Africa Visa

Our South Africa visa and Immigration specialists will consult you on the application process step-by-step.

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that navigating the visa application process can be complex and sometimes overwhelming. This resource is designed to provide clear, concise, and comprehensive answers to the most common questions applicants have about obtaining a Visa or Permit.

Yes, but you can only submit for an extension once. Submissions must be submitted 60 days prior to the expiry of your original tourist visa. Tourists who want to extend their visa with fewer than 60 days left on their visa can still submit, provided they supply a “letter of good cause.” The letter must explain why your submission is late. Approval is at the discretion of Home Affairs.

No, you must have an appropriate work visa. However, you can submit for a section 11(2) visa which is for punctual short work missions. Work is any activity, remunerated or not, which is in line with your usual activities in your place of employment abroad.

There are different categories of work visas in South Africa which you could submit for.

The work visas are:

  • ICT (Intra Company Transfer) visa: issued for 4 years, it is ideal for employees transferred from a company overseas to work at its South African branch for a fixed period of time and in a specific capacity. It is issued in the country of residence and not renewable.
  • Critical Skills visa: issued for 5 years, it is for people who have certain skills and qualifications deemed essential or “critical” to the economy of South Africa. It is linked with certain requirements such as a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) certification and a registration to a SAQA-recognised Professional Body in South Africa
  • General Work visa: issued for 5 years, it basically relates to employees who do not qualify for an ICT nor a Critical Skills visa. It is the most lengthy and most difficult to obtain as the potential employer would have to prove that he/she cannot fill the position with a South African citizen or permanent resident (PR).

Submissions to live in South Africa can take anything between 12 to 18 months. South Africa immigration visas are submitted to the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. This is where South Africa immigration visa submission are adjudicated and permanent residence visas approved or denied.

Yes, you can lose your permanent residence, but only in certain circumstances; for example, you leave South Africa for more than three years consecutively.

Yes, South Africa recognises life partnerships, provided they have lasted more than two years. Primary applicants and life partners can submit for South Africa visas at the same time. South Africa requires proof of the relationship, which can include forms proving cohabitation, for example, a joint bank account. A notarial agreement is required.

Yes, South Africa recognises same sex marriages. The documentation required for a South Africa immigration visa is the same as for life partners.

Disclaimer

At IBN Immigration Solutions, we believe in transparency and abide by Google’s rules. Please note that we are a privately-owned immigration practice and fully comply with the Immigration Act of South Africa, with registration number 1998/008448/07. We are a registered with The Forum of Immigration Practitioners of South Africa (FIPSA). We offer our expertise in successfully applying for temporary and permanent residency services, for which we charge a fee. While forms required for the process can be obtained for free at any Department of Home Affairs office, we provide them as part of our service. It’s important to note that we are not affiliated with the South African Government, but we do provide a valuable service to those seeking to immigrate to South Africa. Users who prefer to deal directly with the Department of Home Affairs can contact them directly. Otherwise, processing is completed through other delegated providers, such as VFS or the relevant mission/consulate abroad.

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