Spousal visa

 

Applying for a South African spousal permit or South African life-partner permit enables the husband, wife or long-term partner of a South African permanent resident or a person in possession of South African citizenship to migrate to South Africa based on their relationship connection.

 

This permit can be applied for as either a temporary residence permit or a permanent residence permit depending on the length of the marriage or relationship in question.

South Africa Spousal Visa is granted for both same sex and heterosexual relationships in South Africa. 

 

The benefit of migrating to South Africa through a Spousal Immigration Visa of this kind is that candidates are assessed purely upon their marital status or the duration of their relationship.

Unlike South African business visas no investment needs to be made and where South African work permits require an offer of employment to be in place from a South African company, no such requirement is in place for those applying to join their spouse or partner.

 

Candidates applying for temporary residence permits will be permitted to live and work in South Africa with permission to seek and undertake employment as they choose.

In addition, candidates applying for permanent residence will receive the benefits afforded to permanent South Africa residents, which encompass many of those enjoyed by South African citizens with some exceptions, such as the right to vote. 

 

The South Africa Spousal Visa structure makes no distinction between heterosexual and same sex relationships and married partners or life partners may apply equally.

 

In the case of married applicants who wish to immigrate to South Africa through this route on a temporary permit, it must be demonstrated that the marriage in question exists, i.e. through the presentation of a marriage certificate.

Where applicants are in a life relationship or a permanent arrangement, an affidavit must be signed by both the applicant and the sponsoring partner, which confirms that the parties are in a permanent relationship, which excludes all others.

In addition, life relationships will need to be supported by documentary evidence such as evidence of co-habitation and mutual financial arrangements such as utility bills, loans and bank accounts.

 

A candidate, who applies for a spouse immigration or life-partner immigration as a permanent option, must have been married to or in a life relationship with the sponsoring South African permanent resident or South African citizen for a period of five years. 

 

In addition, where candidates immigrating to South Africa are granted permanent residency, the applicant will need to demonstrate two years after the permit is issued that the relationship is still in existence. At this stage, a permanent resident’s permit can be revoked if evidence of this is not satisfactorily supplied.

 

After a total of five years, the permit will no longer be subject to the continued existence of the relationship and cannot be withdrawn because of a change in marital or relationship status.

 

Because a permanent residency permit can take up to two years to issue a common practice is to apply for temporary residence whilst simultaneously applying for permanent resident status.

 

The South Africa Spousal Visa allows applicants to seek and engage in employment in the country. Successful applicants may start a business; undertake a job or study in South Africa once an endorsement is granted from the Department of Home Affairs.