South Africa Visa
Welcome to the World’s highest-ranking experts on South African immigration.
Our highly skilled team of registered immigration advisors are on hand to offer you with your FREE South African Immigration consultation today.
Our objective is to ensure you receive the South African visa most suitable to your needs in the fastest and most impressive manner. Our offices in Canada, South Africa and across the world mean we are the first selection for South African immigration results.
Start Your Free Visa Assessment
Short Stay South African Visas
South African Visitor Visa
In South Africa, visitor visas are intended for those who wish to visit the country as a tourist or to visit family and friends. South African visit visas, variously referred to as a tourist visa or visitor visa are granted for a maximum period of three months after which an applicant will be obliged to return to their country of residence. Although 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 permit is granted 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 means 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
Applicants 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 led and depend upon a candidate having a firm offer of employment. Although a South African work permit is not intended as a route to permanent residency in South Africa, those candidates who spend five years or more in the country under a work permit visa status may apply to settle in South Africa permanently.
Family Immigration Services - Spouse Immigration and Family Visas
Temporary or permanent Immigration to South Africa 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 an increasingly popular option and like a family visa, retirement permits may be obtained for either temporary or permanent residence in South Africa. Applicants may choose whether to reside in South Africa continuously or to live in the country on a seasonal basis and a 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 with advantages to each route. Generally, a temporary residence permit can be processed significantly more quickly 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 key advantage of obtaining South African 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.
Begin your visa application today by completing one of our quick and easy online assessment forms. Just answer a few straightforward questions and a Global Visas South African immigration consultant will contact you.
