South Africa Family Visas

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

To find out whether you qualify for a new life in South Africa, visit the Global Visas online assessment area today.

South Africa Relatives Visa

In the case of both the South Africa life partner visa and the relatives visa, successful applicants can immigrate to South Africa on a permanent basis if they wish and in such cases, they may seek employment and begin living and working in South Africa in their own capacity. Unlike a South African work permit, no job offer needs to be obtained and no investment needs to be made. These family immigration services are based entirely on the applicants relationship to their sponsor, however, the eligibility criteria differ depending on the relative being sponsored.

Eligibility - South African Relatives Visa

South African relative visas may be issued as either a temporary or permanent immigration service depending on the requirements of the individual. For a temporary relatives permit 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 for South Africa is 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.

Permanent Residence in South Africa

When a family visa is obtained as a permanent residence permit, 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. Once again, a sponsor must be able to demonstrate sufficient financial means to support the applicant once in South Africa. The permanent route tends to be a longer process as is the case for all types of South African visa for permanent residency. 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. However, it should also be noted that the successful grant of one does not guarantee the other. Dependents of a relative entering South African immigration 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.

South African Life Partner Visa

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. Once again, the sponsor must have the status of either a South African citizen or a South African permanent Resident. Like a relatives visa, 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

Like the relatives permit, the key 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. In addition 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 move to South Africa or you are a potential sponsor, visit our online assessment form now to get your application started.