South African Visa Applications

Commence your South African Visa Application, by ascertaining the correct Visa category in which to apply and ensuring your eligibility.

What categories can a South African Visa Application be made under?

South African Visa applications, or as they are referred to in South Africa Visa Applications, are possible within the following categories:

Work – for those who are seeking immigration with a view to taking up paid employment.
Business – where the visa applicant is looking to invest into a a self run business.Need information on the South African Visa types?[/caption]
Partners – for spouses and life partners of South African Citizens and Permanent Residency holders.
Relatives – where the visa applicant is first kin to a South African Citizen or Permanent Residency holder.
Study – or both adult students and minors accompanying parents who are immigrating.
Corporate – for companies based in South Africa with a need to recruit a number of individuals to bridge a skill shortage area.
Tourist – where the visa applicant is visiting South Africa on vacation
Temporary Business – where the visa applicant is visiting South Africa for a short period of time to conduct business.

The opportunity exists within most South African Visa categories to apply for temporary residency and subsequently permanent residency.

Making a Temporary South African Visa application

Information about making an application for temporary residency

The current immigration act (act 13 of 2002) was implemented on 7 April 2003, and its aims include:

Facilitating and simplifying the issuance of visa. South African Visa applications are processed by the Department of Home Affairs[/caption]
Regulating the influx of foreigners by facilitating foreign investment and attracting skilled and qualified foreigners to South Africa.
Promoting tourism to South Africa.

The Department of Home Affairs states that no decision on the issuance of a South African visa or permit ‘is left to the discretion of an official and applicants may lodge an appeal when a decision has been made that will adversely affect them.’

What you will need to apply for a temporary residence visa or permit

The following documentation is stated on their website as being requirements for submission:

The correct temporary application form.
A passport with a validity period of more than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit.
Where the applicant already has a valid residential visa a photocopy of it will be required.
The South African Visa or Permit fees (cash or bank transfer).
A recent colour photograph that is the same dimensions as required for a passport.
A vaccination certificate (if the applicant has travelled through or intends travelling to the yellow fever belt).
Applicants travelling by air must:
- Be in possession of a return or onward ticket, or
- Lodge a cash deposit (to be advised by the foreign mission), or
- Obtain and provide a written declaration from their prospective employer stating that they accept full responsibility for any costs relating to the deportation of the applicant and his/her family in the event it becomes necessary.
All applicants over the age of 18 years must supply a police clearance certificates. This is required for all countries the applicant has lived in since the age of 18 and for over a 12 month period.
All applicants must submit a medical report. Further those applicants over the age of 12 must also submit radiology reports. Please note pregnant women need not submit a radiological report.
An unabridged birth certificate.
Where applicable proof of custody or adoption of a minor.
If the applicant is a minor then consent from the parents is required.
The marriage certificate of married couples.
Where not married but in a life long relationship an affidavit proving such.
If divorced or legally separated – A divorce decree or proof of legal separation.
Where you have a late spouse – A death certificate.

How to extend the validity of a temporary residency visa or permit

Where there is a requirement to extend the temporary residence visa or permit, this has to be done at least 60 days prior to the expiry of the visa and can be facilitated at any Department of Home Affairs office in South Africa.

Published Time frames for South African Visa Applications

The below table is the published time frames but caution must he exercise, time frames have varied massively from 4 weeks to several months. It is essential to contact one of our Client Managers to ascertain the current situation.

Business Visa	8 weeks
Work visa (general, critical skills, intra-company transfer)	8 weeks
Corporate visa	8 weeks
Study visa	8 weeks
Exchange visa	8 weeks
Retired persons’ visa	8 weeks
Relatives’ visa	8 weeks
Medical treatment visa	1-4 days

Making a Permanent South African Visa Application

Information about obtaining permanent residence in South Africa

Applications for permanent residency in South Africa are again considered in terms of Immigration Act 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002). The Department of Home Affairs grants permanent residency where it feels the immigrant is in a position to make a “ meaningful contribution to broadening the economic base of South Africa.”

What is required to apply for a permanent residency visa or permit

The following documentation is stated on their website as being requirements for submission:

The correct application form
A full set of fingerprints
If married or in a life long relationship – a marriage certificate / Proof of the spousal relationship.
Where married or legally separated – a divorce decree / proof of legal separation.
Proof of custody of a minor.
Where there is a late spouse – a death certificate.
Where the applicant is a minor the consent of the parents will be required.
Where there is an adopted minor – proof of judicial adoption of a minor.
Police clearance certificates are needed for countries the applicant has lived in since the age of 18 for a period of one year or more.
A valid temporary residency visa (if already in South Africa).

Please note that there will a requirement for other documents depending upon the immigration category you make an application under.

Published Time frames for Visa Applications

The below table is the published time frames but caution must he exercise, time frames have varied massively from 30 – 40 days to 3 years. It is essential to contact one of our Client Managers to ascertain the current situation.

Permanent Residence Permits	10 months
Direct Residency Permits	8 months
Residency-on-Other-Grounds Permits	8 months

Getting started with you South African Visa

Of course the first place to begin is to ascertain your eligibility for a South African Visa. As South Africa’s leading immigration company Intergate has successfully assisted 1,000’s of individuals and hundreds of companies with their South African Visa and permit requirements.