Life Partner Visa Going to Expire

[Saartjie]

Originally Posted by Jujube

Hi Saartjie,
I have just submitted my PR application a month and half ago on a basis of an 'exclusive relationship' for 5 years, i.e. you don't have to be 'married' for 5 years but prove that you were/are in an exclusive serious relationship with your SA partner in order to apply for it.

Heard other people do the same...so I just wanted to let you know.

Regards,
Julien

Hi Julien, that's really interesting and I did not know that you could do this. When I arrived here in SA in 2010 I wanted to apply for PR but I had then only been married for 4 years and 8 months although my husband and I had been together for 9 years and lived together for 8 years. Even though we could prove this I was told it was not possible and they referred me to the Immigration Act. So to hear your news is great since I think it will open up doors for a lot of people. It is so common for people these days to live together for their whole life without getting married and I do not see why they should not be allowed to stay together here. Great great news.

[Jujube]

Hi Saartje,
I believe the Immigration Act must have been amended since - see this immigration

On a side note, now that I have submitted my application on the 18th April, what are the next steps? Wait to hear? Or should I contact the helpline after a certain period of time? Should they contact me?

Thanks for letting me know.

Cheers,
Julien

[Saartjie]

Originally Posted by Jujube

Hi Saartje,
I believe the Immigration Act must have been amended since - see this immigration

On a side note, now that I have submitted my application on the 18th April, what are the next steps? Wait to hear? Or should I contact the helpline after a certain period of time? Should they contact me?

Thanks for letting me know.

Cheers,
Julien

I am aware that the Immigration Act is due to be amended by the Immigration Amendment Bill 2010 which has yet to be implemented however this has not happened yet thankfully as the Immigration Bill is going to make everything a lot more difficult. For example, a spouse of an SA citizen who enters SA on a visitors visa cannot then apply for TR or PR in SA but must return to their home country and apply there.

Saying that, I am glad to see that things are changing for sure. So keeping fingers crossed for you that your PR will come through quickly!

Once submitted you can now only wait. The help line is not really a help line as their information is usually inaccurate and by calling them you can usually get more confused and frustrated. I would make enquiries every three months or so just to have a record at HA that you are actively making enquiries.

The waiting time for PR at the moment is about 24 months BUT this is just a general guideline given by immigration lawyers and practitioners. People seem to have totally different experiences, some get the PR in 6 months others wait well over two years. I applied myself on the 30th November 2011 but mine is not ready yet.

Are you in South Africa at the moment? If so you will get an sms when your permit is ready. If you have applied somewhere else I am not sure how they will contact you but it is usually via sms or email.

[Jujube]

I am already in South Africa, on a temporary residency valid for 3 years :-)

I will contact HA every 3 months, that's a good idea.

Cheers,
Julien

[Saartjie]

Originally Posted by Jujube

I am already in South Africa, on a temporary residency valid for 3 years :-)

I will contact HA every 3 months, that's a good idea.

Cheers,
Julien

Ok so you should definitely get an sms when your permit is ready. Try to contact the office where you applied instead of the help line. Their information is usually more accurate (if you can get through that is)

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Bvn]

Hi there,

You should have no problem applying for another temporary residence life partner permit as long as you are still in the same relationship and can verify this through evidence of your relationship.

You can also apply for permanent residence once you can comprehensively prove, to that satisfaction of the Dept. of Home Affairs, that you have been in a relationship for 5 years.

This will mean providing evidence that you have evidence showing that you have lived together 5 years ago and that had joint financial responsibility 5 years ago.

Please let me know if you have any other queries.

Bvn