South African Visas and Permits

General Work Visa

General Work visa is based on an offer of employment from a South African Employer. The employer must apply for the Labour Certificate from the Department of Labour (DoL) and prove to the department that the employee’s position cannot be filled by a South African Citizen or Permanent Resident holder. The visa is issued for the maximum period of 5 years.

Business Visa

Business Visa is for a foreign national starting or investing in a business in South Africa. The applicant will need to comply with the immigration act, including a minimum of investment amount of R5M in order to qualify. The visa is issued for the duration of 3 (three) years.

Intra Company

Intra-Company Transfer visa is a type of work visa that allows for a staff member to transfer overseas company to a branch, subsidiary of affiliated business that is operating in South Africa. A new Intra-Company Transfer work visa for a period not exceeding four years may be granted.

Critical Skills Visa

Critical Skills Work Visa issued to applicants in possession of exceptional skills or qualifications that are scarce in South Africa, (falling under Gazetted Critical Skills list. It is issued for a maximum period of 5 (five) years. Where there is no offer of employment, a critical skills visa shall be issued for a period not exceeding 1 (one) year.

Retired Person’s Visa

 

Retired Person’s Visa is for individual foreigners who wish to retire in South Africa.

Medical Treatment visa

Medical Visa is issued to people who want to visit South Africa for medical treatment of less than three months, provided that such citizen or permanent resident provides the prescribed financial assurance.

Spousal / Life Partner Visa

Spousal / Life Partner Visa is for foreigners who are married or have citizen / permanent resident life partners. The visa is issued for a minimum period of 2 (two) years.

Relatives Visa

Relatives Visa is for foreigners who is a member of the immediate family of a citizen or a permanent resident, provided that such citizen or permanent resident provides the prescribed financial assuranceThe immigration Act provides 3 different types of Relative’s visas exceeding and 2 (two) months up to a maximum of 3 (three) years. The Relative’s Visa categories are as follows:

Relative’s brother
Relative’s sister
Relative’s Minor child
Relative’s major child
Relative’s parent

Visitor’s Visa

Visitor’s Visa is for foreigners who would like to only visit, who have a South African spouse / life partner with an endorsement; and those with the short term job or mandate in South Africa. The immigration Act provides 14 different types of visitor’s visas exceeding and 3 (three) months up to a maximum of 3 (three) years. The Visitor’s Visa categories are as follows:

  • Holiday

  • Academic Sabbaticals

  • Accompanying a citizen/ permanent resident spouse and to work/ study/ conduct a business

  • Voluntary

  • Research

  • Accompanying spouse and children accompanying parents on a temporary residence visa

  • Teachers at International schools

  • Film workers and advertisements produced in South Africa including: camera men, actors, hairstylists, makeup artists, lighting and sound engineers.

  • Foreign journalists sent to South Africa

  • Foreigners who are involved in the entertainment industry, traveling through South Africa to perform.

  • Tour hosts and leaders

  • For visiting professors, lecturers or academic researchers

  • Foreigners required to remain in South Africa to testify as state witnesses in criminal court cases

  • To conduct work / to attend or event.

  • Artists who wish to write, paint or produce sculptures

 

Study Visa

 

Study Visa is for foreign national who want to study in South Africa at whatever level, public or private institution.

Permanent Residence Permit

This category of permit is issues to visa holders who qualify for direct or indirect residence. The category of permits applies to foreigners who:
  • Are in possession of a permanent work offer in South Africa, or
  • Have exceptional skills and qualifications
  • Intend to establish a business in South Africa
  • Qualify as Refugee in terms of Section 27(c) of the refugees Act
  • Qualify as retired persons
  • Are financially independent
  • Are spouses / relatives (biologically or judicially adopted) of a South African citizen/ permanent resident permit holder

Proof of PR:

In order to determine if your permanent residence which has been issued to you is still valid you are kindly requested to submit an application for Proof of Permanent Residence.