Articles
Relatives visa for immigration to South Africa
What is a Relatives visa or visa for immigration to South Africa
The South African Immigration Act allows applications for permanent residence from those who have a first kin relationship with either a South African Permanent Resident or Citizen. This category of visa is known as a relatives visa.
You can learn more about the relatives visa by viewing the below information, or if you prefer the human touch simply call us on any of the above numbers, request a call back here, or email your enquiry.
What is a first kin relationship?
The regulations that govern the relatives visa define a first kin relationship as:
• Parent.
• Child.
Therefore an application for immigration, under the relatives visa can be made by the:
• Child of a South African citizen or permanent residence holder.
• Parent of a South African citizen or permanent residence holder.
What is the role of the South African citizen or permanent residency holder.
Applications for a relatives visa have two parties:
1. The sponsor - this will be the South African citizen or permanent residence holder.
2. The applicant -this will be the ‘foreigner’ wishing to obtain residence in South Africa.
What must the sponsor do?
As with most visa or visa classes the Immigration Act seeks to ensure that immigrants to South Africa are able to either support themselves, or have some sort of financial support in place to support them.
With the relatives visa the sponsor acts as the financial support for the applicant. Therefore the required sponsorship amount can only be met by the sponsor.
How long will the application for a South African relatives visa take?
The compilation and submission of the application is fairly quick but backlogs can experienced in the decision making process. The decision making process is the sole responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs and whilst they publish guidelines for this there are often delays. In some cases these are extreme meaning the relatives visa is not issued for up to 2 years.
If your plans dictate your need to arrive in South African prior to this period, you should consider other visa options, which include the relatives visa (temporary residency) which is processed much quicker.
Does the applicant submit from overseas or in South Africa?
The spouses, life partners and children (minor or major) of South African citizens and permanent residents can submit their relative visa applications in South Africa from a visitors visa, following the issuance of Directive 7 of 2019 implemented in July 2019.
Unfortunately, this does not extend to parents of South Africans. Parents and other eligible relatives must submit their visa applications at an embassy or consulate abroad.
Can you work as a relative visa holder?
As a relatives visa provides the holder with permanent residence status you will be visated to work, run a business or study with no further permissions required from the Department of Home Affairs.
As an example if you are seeking employment you can apply and take up the role exactly the same as a South African Citizen can. There is also no extra responsibility on the employer.
Finding out more about relatives visas
Sa Migration Immigration are South Africa’s largest independent immigration company and the only one to have been accredited with ISO 9001.
We have successfully processed applications for visas and visas of in excess of 6000 since our inception in 2006.
To ascertain whether you qualify for a relatives visa and whether this would be the correct visa for you, please use the links below:
Getting help with your visa or visa application
We welcome the opportunity to consult with you as to your eligibility for a visa /visa and answer any questions you may have with no obligation.
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