 | Processing Time in South Africa: 30-40 days Processing Time if lodged abroad: 30 days |
 | Government Fee in South Africa: R425 New Submission Centre Fee ( in SA ): R1350 Government Fee abroad: Dependent on Currency |
 | Application Form when submitting abroad: Click here Application Form when submitting in SA: Done Online |
As a foreign national who is a relative of a South African citizen or permanent resident you could qualify for a South African Relatives Permit. Essentially this means that first and second-level kinship family members of a South African national, or a foreign national who has obtained South African permanent residency, could enter the country and live here once they have obtained the South African Relatives Visa.
First-level kinship applicants would also qualify for permanent residency while second-level kinship applicants are excluded from this advantage.
This visa would require the South African citizen to sponsor the first or second-level kinship applicant. First –level kinship would be the citizen’s wife or husband, their child or parent, while second –level kinship would include the South African citizen’s siblings, grandparent or grandchild.
Conditions and requirements for the South African Relatives Permit
• The applicant must be able to prove their relationship with the South African citizen or permanent resident
• The applicant’s family will have to provide sufficient proof that they are able to support the applicant financially and this means an available budget that allows for R8 500.00 per applicant.
• Holders of this visa may not engage in business or employment until they have been granted permanent residency on application.
What is the expiration conditions of the South African Relative’s Permit?
This visa is valid for a two-year period and, while it is renewable, failure to do so timeously will see the bearer of this visa being deported and banned from re-entry into the country for up to five years.
Submitting the application
• First-time applicants must submit their applications in their country of residence. You will not be able to submit your application while in South Africa on a visitor’s visa
• Renewals of existing South African Relatives Permits extension can be logged in South Africa – be sure to do this long before the visa expire.
• Submitting visa applications at a South African Embassy aboard will require a 30 to 40-day processing time
I heard using a migration agent would be useful. How can they help me?
Using a migration agent or consultant gives you direct access to the knowledge and experience of a professional person registered with an appropriate regulatory body. This means you will receive relevant advice and will have fewer hassles being sent from pillar to post during the application process.
You might also expect
• Online access to your application which will allow you to manage your visa application, by for instance uploading your documents, tracking your visa status and communicate with your caseworker
• Quicker internal turnaround times
• Regular updates of the status of your application