Life partner permits are issued to foreigners who are immigrating to South Africa with a South African boyfriend or girlfriend (life partner) with whom they are in a permanent relationship.

Life partner permits are not commonly known and accessing information about them can be difficult, but qualifying people should look to ensure they consider applying within the life partner permit category as it can have some excellent benefits.

LIFE PARTNER PERMITS - QUALIFYING CRITERIA

To successfully apply for a life partner permit there are an number of different criteria the applicants must meet, perhaps the most onerous being the compiling of sufficient 'evidence' that the relationship is indeed of a permanent nature and it is one of a 'life partner' status.

As a registered immigration practitioner and South Africa's leading independent immigration company, Intergate Immigration advises, compiles, submits and monitors the entire application on its client’s behalf. Our years of experience and our 100% success rate in obtaining life partner permits, means that our clients can rest assured that they are in expert hands.

LIFE PARTNER PERMITS - TEMPORARY RESIDENCY

Life partners of South Africans may apply for a life partner permit under the temporary residency category. There are no set criteria as to how long applicants must have been together and each case is viewed on its merit.

Temporary residency permits are issued for an initial period of time of up to 3 years and applications can be made to extend this period subject to the relationship still existing.

Prospective immigrants should be aware that even if they meet the criteria to make an application for a life partner under the permanent category, in all likelihood a temporary life partner permit will need to be applied for due to the fact home affairs is taking approximately 24 months to issue permanent residency to applicants.

LIFE PARTNER PERMITS - PERMANENT RESIDENCY

Life partner permits under the permanent residency category can be made if it can be proven that the relationship has been of a permanent nature for 5 years.

As per the above, there is every likelihood that a temporary life partner permit application will need to be made at the same time as the permanent life partner application due to the time constraints.

LIFE PARTNER PERMITS - WORKING OR SETTING UP A BUSINESS

For holders of life partner permits, temporary or permanent the news is good!

For work – once a suitable position has been found and offered via a contract of employment, Intergate Immigration can apply for an endorsement to the life partner permit enabling the life partner to work, This negates the need to apply for a work permit and the requirements (such as proving no South African is available to take up the position).

For business – a similar endorsement can be applied for with the immigrant needing to prove that the business exists, this can be done by providing documentary proof that the Pty Ltd or Closed Corporation has been set up. Intergate Immigration will be pleased to assist you in this regard.

It should be noted that applications for life partner permits and endorsements can be made simultaneously.

For more information or to speak to one our client mangers please use the links below:

I would like to complete the online enquiry form
I would like to request a call back
I would like to e-mail Intergate