Permanent Residency as a means of Immigrating to South Africa
Applications for permanent residency are commonly made simultaneously with a temporary residency application, where the category allows for it. However, permanent residency applications can also be made as a stand-alone application where no temporary residency application is made (this is dependent on the office where submission is taking place).
Permanent residency applicants should always bear in mind the amount of time an application takes to process by Home Affairs. It can take up to 2 or 3 years for the permanent residency to be issued. This is also the reason why most applicants submit a temporary application, as the time frames do not allow for a waiting period of this long.
Permanent Residency South Africa
Permanent Residency applications – Temporary not required
The following categories of permanent residency can be applied for immediately, subject to meeting the qualifying criteria:
- Retired Visa / Permit.
- Relatives Visa / Permit.
- Life Partner Visa/ Permit.
- Spousal Visa / Permit.
Permanent Residency applications – Temporary required
- Work visa / permit
- Must be held for 5 years.
- Business visa / permit (advisable).
Permanent Residency applications – Applications not accepted
- Study visa /permit
- Work visa / permit unless temporary residence held for less than 5 years.
