South African Immigration
Relative’s Visas
This visa can be applied for by Applicants who are immediate family members of a South African Citizen or immediate family members of someone who has Permanent residence status in South Africa. The South African relative of the applicant must be able to show proof of minimum funds of R8,500 per month to support the relative in South Africa.
Spouse / Life Partner
This visa can be applied for by unmarried couples who live together and are in a committed relationship where one partner is a South African citizen. This visa can also lead to an applicant eventually qualifying for Permanent residence in South Africa.
Retired Persons Visas
Though the visa title could lead one to believe that a person has to actually be of retirement age in order to qualify for this visa this is however not the case. In order to qualify for this visa a person needs to be able to provide proof of a pension fund or irrevocable retirement annuity or net worth or a combination of assets realising a minimum amount of R37 000 per month. The retired person’s spouse and dependant children can also now accompany the retired person on this visa.
Permanent Residence
There are various routes to qualifying for Permanent Residence in South Africa, this permit allows one to live and work in South Africa without any limitations on the period they can stay in the country. Permanent Residence Permits can also eventually lead to an applicant acquiring South African citizenship.
Business Visas
Foreigners wishing to establish their own business in South Africa or invest in an existing business in South Africa are required to have Business visas and like every other visa they are very specific requirements which need to be met in order to qualify for this visa. We will provide you with a thorough step by step guide to meeting these requirements and lodging a competent application. Applicants must meet the minimum financial requirement to qualify for this visa and the funds must originate from abroad to invest in South Africa.
Work Visas
This involves a points-based system.
There are various types of work visas that a person can apply for depending on their qualifications and skills. A work visa can also eventually lead to an applicant qualifying for permanent residence in South Africa. The various types of work visas are:
General Work Visa
Applicants will need to obtain a total of 100 points to qualify to apply for a general work visa. Applicants are assessed on various criteria to determine their qualification for this visa category. The criteria includes work experience, qualifications, language proficiency, and salary range.
Critical Skills Work Visa
For an applicant to qualify for this visa a crucial part of the requirements is that their profession must be on the critical skills list published by the South African Government in the Gazette as a critical skill required in South Africa. The applicant must also possess relevant work experience in that field and must be registered with the relevant professional body in South Africa.
Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa
This permit is for International companies that want to transfer their employees from a branch of their company abroad to work in the company’s branch or affiliate in South Africa for up to a four year period or less.
Study Visas
Foreigners intending to study in South Africa can apply for this type of visa and all foreign students studying at a higher institution of learning in South Africa are legally entitled to work for 20 hours per week during term time and full time during school holidays. Study visas are also required for children of foreigners in South Africa who do not have permanent residence status and intend to attend primary (junior school) or secondary (high school) school in South Africa. Most private schools in South Africa will not admit a child into their school prior to the child obtaining a study visa.
Appeals and follow ups
Appeals
Prohibited person / V-listing appeals, overstay appeals, visa and permanent residence application rejections.
Follow ups
We can assist with following up on pending applications.
Legal Representation
Advocate Van den Bergh is also an admitted and practising Trust Account Advocate in South Africa specialising in Civil Litigation matters.
For assistance with Immigration and Asylum matters involving court appearances and legal representation contact: