Frequently Asked Questions on the South African Relatives Visa

Frequently Asked Questions on the South African Relatives Visa. image credit: AdobeStock

Frequently Asked Questions on the South African Relatives Visa

(Partner Content) Our SA Immigration Team at Breytenbachs have compiled answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions on the South African Relatives Visa, as the interest in this type of visas is picking up.

Frequently Asked Questions on the South African Relatives Visa

Frequently Asked Questions on the South African Relatives Visa. image credit: AdobeStock

Many South Africans live and work abroad, get married to an overseas citizen, and then at some stage want to move back to South Africa. In such cases, the spouse or partner can apply for a South African Relatives Visa. 

Fortunately, with South Africa that has moved to Lockdown Level 1, the South African Government is again accepting applications in South Africa and its missions abroad for long-stay visas such as the Relatives Visa. The SA Immigration Department of Breytenbachs can now assist clients with these applications again. 

My partner wants to apply for the South African Relatives Visa, as we want to move to South Africa. Do we need to be married for him to qualify?

No, you do not need to be married to a South African citizen. Any person who is an immediate family member can apply for a SA Relatives visa. Immediate family members can include; spouses, life partners, parents, children, brothers or sisters.  

However, the criteria will differ for the different categories of family members. A life partnership would require proof of cohabitation and shared financial responsibilities for at least two years. 

Spouses and civil partners do not need to meet the two-year cohabitation requirement. 

If we are successful in obtaining a Relatives Visa, will this lead to Permanent Residence in South Africa?

A person who is in a life partnership will be able to obtain permanent residence if he/she can prove cohabitation and shared financial responsibilities for five years. 

Spouses or civil partnerships can obtain permanent residence, if they can prove that they have been legally married or in a civil partnership for five years. 

Will my life partner be able to work in South Africa if we are successful in obtaining a Relatives Visa for him?

Spouses and life partners of SA nationals or residence holders will be able to ask for working rights, provided they have a South African work offer or have a registered South African company.

How Breytenbachs can help you

Applications for South African long-stay visas have many potential pitfalls. It is of utmost importance to initially include all relevant documentation on the visa application to avoid delays in the adjudication period.  

Our South African Immigration Department has many years of experience dealing with the SA authorities and SA immigration law. You can thus rest assured that your case is in capable and experienced hands. Please do hesitate to contact our SA Immigration team for assistance with your application. Contact us at SAImmigration@bic-immigration.com or visit our website at www.bic-immigration.com 

Please note that the information in this article does not constitute professional advice. It is provided for general information purposes, without giving any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.