Alternative Residency Visa For South Africa
South Africa offers a variety of alternative residency visas to applicants who wish to live and work in the country.
South Africa offers a special visa for foreign nationals to reside in the country for up to two years.
Documents required to apply for a long-term temporary residence visa, except medical treatment visa
The following general documentation must be submitted with all temporary residence visa applications on form DHA-1738, except in the event of an application for a medical treatment visa:
- A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of intended visit
- A photocopy of all temporary residence visas endorsed in the passport
- Processing fee
- 1 recent passport size colour photograph
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate (if the applicant has travelled through or intends travelling through the yellow fever belt area)
- Police clearance certificates in respect all countries where the applicant has resided for a period of twelve months or longer since having attained the age of 18 years.
- Medical and radiology reports (radiology reports are not required for children under the age of 12 years and pregnant women)
- An unabridged birth certificate
- Proof of custody or adoption of a minor, where applicable
- Consent from the parents of a minor, where applicable
- A marriage certificate, where applicable
- Proof of a spousal relationship by means of an affidavit, where applicable
- A divorce decree or proof of legal separation, where applicable
- A death certificate in respect of a late spouse, where applicable
Supporting documents, in addition those mentioned above, are applicable to every category of temporary residence visa. These supporting documents are listed on the DHA-1738 application form under each visa category.
Where to apply for a temporary residence visa
Any foreigner who wants to enter South Africa must apply for the appropriate temporary residence visa at:
- the South African diplomatic representative in his/her country of origin, or
- at a South African diplomatic representative in a neighbouring country if there is no South African diplomatic representation in the applicant’s country of origin
Applications for temporary residence visas are processed and finalised at the foreign offices of the Department of Home Affairs. Arrangements to travel to South Africa must only be made once the temporary residence visa has been issued.
Extending the validity of a temporary residence permit or applying for change of status or conditions
An application for the extension of the validity of a temporary residence visa must be done at least 60 days prior to the expiry of the visa by submitting an application online at www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica. There is a fee payable when applying for an extension of the validity of a temporary residence visa.
Applying for a change of status or change of conditions relating to an existing temporary residence visa
An application for a change of status or change of conditions relating to an existing temporary residence visa must be submitted online at www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica within the validity period of the visa.
It is important to take note that the Immigration Act prohibits an application for change of status or change of conditions relating to an existing temporary residence visa, where the foreigner is the holder of a visitor’s visa or medical treatment visa. Such foreigners are required to return to their countries of origin or of permanent residence in order to submit an application for an appropriate temporary residence visa. Exceptions are only allowed where the foreigner is in need of lifesaving medical treatment, or where the foreigner is required to remain in the Republic in order to testify as a state witness in a criminal court case, or where the applicant is the spouse or dependent child of a work visa or business visa holder who wish to apply for a work visa or study visa.
South Africa offers a number of visas for foreign nationals who wish to live and work in the country.