South Africa Visas, Permits and Immigration

Home

Immigration to South Africa offers the opportunity to live and work in one of the most culturally exciting and diverse countries in the world. If you want to migrate, you can apply for the temporary residence visa permit or the permanent residence permit.

Immigration Policy

The Immigration Act 2002 focuses on attracting skilled immigrants. This Act also includes stricter measures to control the undocumented immigrant and identify the people who enter South Africa. The Immigration Act 2002 is also known as the Community Policy and was made effective in 2005.

The immigration policy of South Africa brings a new era of democratic improvement and increased concern for human rights. Forced migrations, human rights as well as security concerns are intimately linked. The skilled immigrant is very important in South Africa because of their developing economy.

Visa Immigration Service

The South African immigration visa allows people to enter South Africa for the following purposes:

•   a South African expedition.
•   a longer term study
•   work-based project
•   a permanent residency visa for those who want to work and live on a permanent basis

Global visa services may help you to get a South African visa through a transitory visitor visa to a lasting residence permit via some routes. Visa applications are checked at every stage of the application procedure by immigration officials.

Foreign travelers who go to South Africa for a vacation must have a valid passport. Travelers from several countries must also have a valid visa before they are allowed to enter South Africa. Citizens of the US, United Kingdom, and Germany are not required to have a visa in South Africa. These foreign nationals are allowed to stay up to ninety days in this country.

Tourists from the US, Japan, and most Commonwealth or west European countries are given free entry permit stickers indicating how long they can stay in South Africa. The visas may be managed in every stage from initial enquiry to arrival service. The South African immigration consultant may also provide an immigration lawyer who can help foreign nationals relocate to South Africa.

Citizens of Namibia are not required to possess a visa. A Namibian citizen can stay for a maximum period of thirty days.

Types of Visas

Business Visa

The South African business permits focus on the experience of the potential candidates and their entrepreneurial skills. The South African business visa is valid for a period of twenty-four months.

South African Spousal Visa

Applicants of the same sex or heterosexual relationships can apply for a permanent residence permit or a temporary residence permit, depending on the relationship or marriage of the applicant. The benefit of this South African spousal visa is that a candidate is assessed purely upon their length of relationship or maritial status.

Student Visa

South African immigration accepts a foreign student to enroll in a course, but the student is required to complete the course. For other short courses, the student must have a South African travel visa or a visitor visa, which is also known as the 90-day restriction. This restriction means the duration of the course should be at least three months. The student must submit the requirements listed below:

•   Letter from the educational institutions such as universities, colleges or any school, which acts as a Confirmation of Acceptance.
•   Proof of the ability of students to financially support themselves.
•   A medical insurance as well as a statement from the student doctors.
•   A passport valid for thirty days upon the completion of the course.
•   The applicant must be 18 years old and above.

Medical Visa

The South African medical visa is valid for people migrating to South Africa for treatment at a public or private hospital or in any other genuine health institute such as detoxification clinics, rehabilitation centers, old age inhabited homes, and health farms. This medical visa allows the foreigner to enter South Africa to get medical treatment. This type of visa is valid for ninety days. The requirements for the medical visa must include a letter from the medical practitioner or the institution concerned.

Visitor Visa

The visitor visa allows the applicant to travel to the South African port of entry where an official of South Africa immigration determines if the applicant will be permitted entry and for how long the applicant can stay for that visa. Applicants for the visitor visa should provide proof that they don’t plan to immigrate to the Republic of South Africa. Requirements for this visa are listed below:

•   Passport valid for six months beyond the date of departure
•   Two passport-sized photos
•   Evidence of sufficient funds to cover visit
•   No criminal record

Types of Immigration Permit

Intra-Company Transfer Permit

This class of work permit can be issued to a foreign national permanently working abroad. It is issued by the company that also operates a subsidiary/branch or affiliate business in South Africa. Applicants are admitted by virtue of their employment and are allowed to do the job for a period of two years.

Exceptional Skill Work Permit

This exceptional skill work permit allows the Department to issue a work permit to persons with exceptional skills or special skills without having to complete the requirements such as certification and other formalities.

Retired Permit

This permit is granted to immigrants wanting to spend their retirement years in South Africa. Applicants under the retired permit must not go to South Africa to study nor establish own business or work. The retired permits are permanent or temporary.

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Latest Move 6 Jan 2009 | 8:40 am
After the UK, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Holland and Belgium I'm now in Bangkok Thailand trying to get through the long cold bitter winter!
JLT studio for sale 6 Jan 2009 | 7:36 am
Goldcrest Views 2 Ready March 2009 90% paid AED 590,000++ PM for more details or call me on 050 7756951
employment 6 Jan 2009 | 7:30 am
hi my name is paul i've lived in Cyprus for 8 months now driving a cement lorry and just been told by my boss happy new year! don't bother coming...
Seeking employment 6 Jan 2009 | 5:32 am
HI, Greetings! I am Ravi Shankar from Chennai, India. I am an Oracle ERP consultant am keen on moving to Australia. Can anyone pls hep/guide...
My friend has offered me a job in the US....advice appreciated thanks! 6 Jan 2009 | 4:16 am
Hi, I am a UK citizen and I travel to the US as a tourist fairly regularly- I'm actually in the US on holiday right now. :) My best friend is...
Residency visa/work permit and working part-time? 6 Jan 2009 | 4:08 am
Hi there. Is it possible to get a residency visa/work permit if you're working part-time? Are there specific rules to how many hours you must...
Visa Options 6 Jan 2009 | 2:29 am
Hi There - I have been through many posts and other internet research but cannot find anything definitive to help. I hope someone on this site can...
Sisal Mexico 6 Jan 2009 | 1:28 am
We are thinking of buying property on the beach in Sisal Mexico. We would appreciate any information on beachfront property, realestate pitfalls etc.
Green card/7 year absence/fiance - advice needed please 6 Jan 2009 | 12:45 am
Hi, I'm really in need of advice here, hopefully somebody can help or point me in the right direction. To try and cut a very long story short... ...
Dual citizenship, visas and work 6 Jan 2009 | 12:39 am
Hi everyone - I was hoping I might be able to get your perspective on a question. I am a US citizen and I will be working in France very soon...
Buyers' agent 5 Jan 2009 | 11:57 pm
My partner and I are looking for a house in Sydney and wonder if it's a good idea to engage a buyers agent. Any idea what the average fees are?
Building with PINE 5 Jan 2009 | 6:57 pm
Hi All I have had some advice that I should not use the local pine for building as it will rot, if left untreated. I plan on building a cordwood...
Investing in Dubai 5 Jan 2009 | 2:21 pm
Hi, I am considering purchasing and then letting a property in Dubai. I am not resident in Dubai. Can anyone please give me some solid advise on...
Escrow Poll 5 Jan 2009 | 12:08 pm
I would like to propose a poll of how many investors would have bought into Dubai, if they had been made aware that money they were paying into...
What was the original price of 1 bed in Burj Dubai Tower? 5 Jan 2009 | 12:00 pm
What was the original price of 1 bed in Burj Dubai Tower?
Renting a villa in Sharm 5 Jan 2009 | 11:58 am
Hello, We are moving to Sharm in July and want to rent a 3 bedroom villa for a year. Is there a way to find a villa to rent other than using an...
Looking for garden home and signature villa, palm jumeirah 5 Jan 2009 | 11:28 am
Hi all, My client is looking for a Garden Home and a Signature Villa on the Palm Jumeirah. Please let me know if you have anything. Regards,...
Al Nour Plaza 5 Jan 2009 | 10:54 am
Limited offer to all clients of Al Nour plaza : You can reserve your units and you will get aircondition for free . studio , 1 bed room : ( 1...
Advise required - looking to purchase 5 Jan 2009 | 9:29 am
Hi All, First post, so please bear with me! We are a family living in Dubai for 3 years. We have been renting till date and are now looking to...
Want to sell or rent your property? 5 Jan 2009 | 7:53 am
If you are the owner of a property in Bulgaria and would like to sell or rent it... Quest Bulgaria is launching a new section on their site solely...