What are temporary residence permits?

Temporary residence permits are issued on request to applicants intending to visit the Republic for a period of over 3 months but not exceeding 3 years. 

• Requirements
• Visitor's' Permit
  • Sabbatical
  • Voluntary or Charitable Activities
  • Research
  • Spouse and Dependents
  • Bonafide Activities
  • Change of Status
• Study Permit
• Business Permit
• Medical Permit
• Relative's Permit
• Work Permit
• Corporate Permit
• Retired Person's Permit
• Exchange Permits
• Treaty Permit

The following requirements will be needed in addition to the ones cited below:

Basic Requirements:

• Passport valid not less than 30 days after return trip (departure) from South Africa; The passport must contain at least two unused visa pages for endorsement purposes. The unused visa page needed for endorsement is separate from pages reserved for observations and amendments.
• Fees payable to the appropriate South African representative office
• Prescribed Form 1738
• Medical Report (BI-811)
• Radiological Report (BI-806)
• Police Clearance Certificate from all countries where the applicant resided for 12 months or longer since 18 years.
• A vaccination certificate, if required;
• Proof of financial means in the forms of:· 
  • Bank statements;· 
  • Salary advices;· 
• Undertaking (commitment) by the South African host;
• Bursaries (grant awarded as part of a financial assistance package);· 
• Medical coverage;
• Cash available, including credit cards or travelers' checks to cover expenses related to the visit;
• Deposit
• Marriage and birth certificate
• Applicants traveling by air must be in possession of round trip tickets, or proof of sufficient funds or lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value to such a ticket;
• Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of visit.

Visitor's Permit

Visitor's permits are issued on entry in South Africa and are for visits of three (3) months or more, but not exceeding (3) years.

Categories of Visitor's Permit

• Sabbatical
• Voluntary or Charitable Activities
• Research
• Spouse and Dependents
• Bonafide Activities
• Change of Status

Visitor's Permit for Sabbatical

• See basic Requirements
• Applicants must lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value of a round trip ticket or onward ticket.
• A letter from the foreign academic institution confirming the enrolment abroad;
• A letter from the host organization or institution in the Republic of South Africa.

Visitor's Permit for Charitable Activities

• See basic Requirements
• Applicants must lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value of a round trip ticket or onward ticket.
• A letter from the organization where the services will be rendered, confirming the nature and period of the services;
• A letter of confirmation that it is not a paid post.

Visitor's Permit for Research

• See basic Requirements
• Applicants must lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value of a return ticket or onward ticket.
• A letter from the educational institution concerned, confirming the nature and period of the research;
• Confirmation of the available funds to cover accommodation, living and medical expenses for the duration of the research.

Visitor's Permit for Spouse and Dependents

• See list of basic Requirements
• Medical certificate of the applicant and all members accompanying the applicant;
• Birth certificate, to be unabridged where relevant to prove parenthood;
• Marriage certificate, if applicable;
• Divorce decree, if applicable;
• Proof of custody, if applicable;
• Death certificate of late spouse, if applicable;
• Consent from parents, if applicable;
• Proof of adoption, if applicable;
• Proof of legal separation, if applicable;
• Police clearance certificate, for applicants 21 years or older from all countries where the person resided one year or longer. For applicants in the United States the ONLY police clearance certificates that will be accepted are those issued by the State Police concerned or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Given that it takes time to issue such a certificate, an acknowledgement receipt of an application can be included in your application for visitor permit as a proof that such a police clearance certificate has been applied for. 
• Any additional information that the Department may request as proof of the existence of the good faith spousal relationship.

Visitor's Permit for Spouse of a South African citizen/Permanent Resident who does not qualify for a general work permit

• See list of basic Requirements
• An offer of employment
• Proof of legal marriage or life partnership.
• Proof that the spouse is a South African citizen/permanent resident through submission of certified copies of South African I.D., passport, permanent residence certificate.

Study Permit

This is a kind of a permit issued to foreigners intending to take up studies in South Africa. Applications for study permits can be lodged at the mission or at the office of the registrar of the institution authorized by the Department of Home Affairs to accept such applications. For more information about studying in South Africa, please click here. 

Business Permit

Business permit is issued to any foreigner who intends to establish or invest in a business in SA in which he or she may be employed.

• Investor Permit 
• Investing in an Existing Business

Investor

• See basic Requirements
• Applicants must lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value to a return ticket.
• A valid temporary residence permit in the case of a regional office in terms of regulation 7(6).
• Proof of financial/capital contribution which originated from abroad and as prescribed (R2.5 million)
• Chartered accountant certifying the investment and that it is available and originated from abroad.
• Compliance with one of the following:
  • A business plan outlining the feasibility of the business
  • Proof that at least 5 citizens/permanent residents shall be employed
  • An undertaking to register with SARS
  • Proof of registration with the appropriate body/board/council
• A potential investor may request the waiver or reduction of the prescribed capitalization requirement by approaching the Department of Trade & Industry for recommendation or by the Department of Home Affairs, provided the business falls in one of the following categories:
  • Information and communication technology
    Clothing and textile manufacturing
  • Chemical and bio-technology industry
  • Agro processing industry
  • Metal and mineral refinement industry
  • Tourism industry
  • Automotive and manufacturing industry
  • Crafts

Note: The business permit cited above may be issued for a period of 24 months at a time. However, it may be withdrawn if the business no longer maintains the capitalization amount of R2,500,000, 00. The said capitalization may be reduced on application on the basis of a recommendation of either the Department of Trade and Industry or the Department of Science and Technology or on the basis of the recommendation of another competent organ of state.

Business Permit in Respect of Investment in an Existing Business

• See basic Requirements
• All the requirements cited under business permits for investors;
• Proof of availability of funds for transfer from abroad;
• Undertaking to register with the appropriate statutory body, if required by the nature of the business.

Medical Permits

Medical purpose will be issued to all foreigners intending to visit the Republic for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment at private or public hospital or health facility or any other bona fide institution of treatment including but not limited to health farms, sanitaria, old age homes, physiotherapy or rehabilitation centers and detoxification centers. Applicants for medical permits can file for them through the mission or the registrar of the hospital.

Requirements for Applications filed at the Missions:

• See basic Requirements
• A letter from the applicant's medical practitioner or medical institution, indicating the reasons/necessity for treatment, the period of treatment and particulars of the treatment plans in SA;
• Details of the person or institution responsible for the medical expenses and hospital fees, if any. Should the applicant's medical scheme or employer not be liable for expenses incurred, proof of financial means or medical cover must be submitted.
• Particulars of persons accompanying such permit holder;
• Copy of a return ticket or a repatriation guarantee in the form of a deposit equivalent to the cost of an air ticket to the country of origin or residence, if required.

Requirements for medical permits filed through the Registrar of Authorized Hospital

• See basic Requirements
• An official letter of provisional enrolment from the treating institution concerned stating:
• Details regarding arranged accommodation;
• That the applicant has sufficient funds to cover his or her medical costs, maintenance and incidental costs;
• In the case of a minor, the particulars of the person in SA who will act as the patient's guardian, and proof of consent for the intended stay from both parents, or from sole custody parent along with proof of sole custody;
• The medical treatment for which the applicant has been accepted and the duration thereof;
• Undertaking to notify the department at least every eight months that the applicant is still under treatment.
• Copy of a return ticket or repatriation guarantee in a form of a deposit equivalent to the cost of an air ticket to the country of origin or residence, if required.

Relative's Permit

This is a permit that will be issued to relatives to South African citizens or residents intending to visit the Republic. It will be issued for the period not exceeding 24 months at a time. In a case where it is issued to spouse, it will lapse upon the dissolution of the relationship and the Department may at any time satisfy itself that a good faith spousal relationship exists and or continues to exist.

Documents to be submitted:

• See basic Requirements
• Financial assurance in the form of certification by a chartered accountant confirming the sponsor's and or the joint means of support of the applicant and the sponsor for the requested duration of the permit. The financial assurance in question shall be an amount of R5,000.00 per person per month and will not be applicable in the case of a spouse or a dependent minor child.

Note: The period of validity of the permit shall be determined by the financial assurance provided, but will not exceed a period of 24 months at a time. A relative permit issued to a spouse shall lapse upon the dissolution of the spousal relationship and the Department may at any time satisfy itself that a good faith spousal relationship exists and or continues to exist.

Work Permits

Work permits are issued to all foreigners intending to take up employment in South Africa. The following are the kinds of work permits issued on application.

Quota Work Permit

This is a kind of a work permit issued to predetermined number of employees needed in a particular occupational category determined by the Minister.

Documents to be submitted:

• See basic Requirements
• An undertaking to notify the Department when such foreigner is no longer employed or is employed in a different capacity or role.

Note: A quota work permit shall lapse if, within 9 months of its issuance, and within every year thereafter, its holder fails to submit to the Department certification from his or her employer's chartered accountant that he or she is still employed, of the terms and conditions of his or her employment including the job description, and that such employer has made the payment for training fee.

Work Permit (Extraordinary Quota)

This is a kind of a work permit issued to predetermined number of foreigners with extraordinary skills and/or qualifications. The foreigner issued with a work permit for persons with extraordinary skills or qualifications will be authorized to conduct work even when at the time the permit is issued he or she does not have prospective employer. Apart from that, the holder of this permit will be allowed to conduct work outside his or her category unless the minister determines otherwise

• See basic Requirements
• Detailed proof of extraordinary skills or qualifications of the applicant.

General Work Permit

Documents to be submitted:

Original advertisement of the job in the national media. The advertisement should comply with the following:

• See basic Requirements
• Contract of employment signed by both applicant and employer.
• Original proof of qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
• Proof of experience and skills in line with the job offer.
• The employer to submit a certificate from the Department of Labor or extract from the database of a salary benchmarking organization detailing the average salary earned by employees occupying similar positions in the Republic of South Africa.
• Submission of the original advertisement in the national printed media.
  • The specimen must reflect the full particulars of the relevant newspaper/specialized magazine, as well as the dates on which the advertisement was published;
  • Such advertisement must stipulate the minimum qualifications and experience required to fill the position as well as the remuneration and benefits offered;
  • The position offered and the duties to be performed must be clearly defined;
  • Such advertisement should measure at least 150 millimeters by 90 millimeters;
  • The closing date for the application must be stated in the advertisement;
  • The advertisement may not be older than 3 months at the time of application.
• A letter of motivation from the employer detailing the efforts he or she made to obtain the services of a citizen or resident;
• Proof that all short - listed candidates have been interviewed;
• In the case of senior positions, reasons for not filling the position through the promotion of existing personnel; 
• Undertaking to register with professional body, board or council in SA, where applicable; 
• Letter of approval, where required by a law from:
  • Relevant professional body, board, council;
  • Department of labor;
  • Relevant organ of state.

Work Permit (General Quota)

• See basic Requirements
• An offer of employment;
• Certification by a chartered accountant detailing the following:
• Describing the job description;
• Certifying that the job position falls within a relevant category;
• Certifying that the position exists and is intended to be filled by such foreigner;
• Certifying that such foreigner possess the legal qualifications required for the performance of the tasks called for by the job position, taking into account any applicable requirement of the South African Qualification Authority.
• Commitment by the employer to pay training fee in respect of each employee, amounting to 2%of such foreigner's taxable remuneration to be paid quarterly and in advance.
• Certification by the chartered accountant detailing the fact that no South African can fill the post in question.

Work Permits (Exceptional Skills)

• See basic Requirements
• A letter from a foreign or South African organ of state, from an established South African academic, cultural or business body, confirming the applicant's exceptional skills or qualifications;
• Testimonials from previous employers, if applicable, and a comprehensive curriculum vitae;
• Other proof to substantiate exceptional skills or qualifications such as publications and testimonials.

Work Permit (Intra Company Transfer)

• See basic Requirements
• The foreigner's contract of employment with the company abroad
• A letter from the international concern confirming that the foreigner will be transferred to a branch/affiliated South African company;
• A letter from the South African company confirming the transfer of such foreigner from the parent/affiliated company abroad, as well as specifying the occupation and capacity in which the foreigner will be employed, and that maximum duration will not exceed two years;
• An undertaking from the employer to defray deportation and other costs should such foreigner fail to depart when no longer allowed to sojourn SA.

Corporate Permit

• General Categories

• Agreements with Foreign States

• Seasonal Workers/Farm Workers

This is a permit issued by the Department to a corporate applicant. A corporate applicant is defined as a juristic person established under the laws of SA or foreign country as a corporation to employ foreigners to conduct work for such an applicant. The following will be employed under corporate permit: seasonal workers and workers on foreign state labor agreement. The following documents must be submitted before a corporate permit can be issued:

• See basic Requirements
• A certification by a chartered accountant specifying conditions of employment of the foreigners;
• An undertaking by the corporate applicant to:
  • Ensure that a foreigner's passport is valid for no less that 30 days after expiry of stay;
  • Ensure that foreigners are employed in the specific positions authorized by the corporate permit;
  • Ensure the departure of foreigners on completion of service.
• Motivation letter for the need to employ foreigners, specifying a job description and the organogram;
• An undertaking to comply with provisions/conditions of a corporate permit;
• Training fee and/or training program for the citizens and residents that may reduce for foreign labor.

Corporate Worker (General Categories)

• See basic Requirements
• Acceptance letter of offer of employment;
• Certificate detailing terms and conditions of employment.

Corporate Worker (Agreements with Foreign States)

• See basic Requirements
• Valid employment contract entered into for a period not exceeding 18 months;
• No objection letter from the Department of labor or an exemption letter;
• An undertaking by the employer to remove the employee on expiry of contract;
• Certificate detailing terms and conditions of employment.

Corporate Worker (Seasonal Workers/Farm Workers)

• See basic Requirements
• Valid employment contract entered into for a period not exceeding six months;
• An undertaking by the employer to repatriate the employee on the expiry of the contract;
• No objection letter from the Department of labor or an exemption letter;
• Certificate detailing terms and conditions of employment.

Retired Person's Permit

• Retired Person's Permit (Non Worker)
• Retired Person's Permit (Worker)

This is a kind of a permit issued to retirees intending to live in SA only for limited or seasonal periods during the validity of the permit. It can be issued for a period not exceeding four years and on its expiry, it may be renewed for one or more time.

Retired Person's Permit (Non Worker)

Documents to be submitted:

• See list of basic Requirements
• A pension with a minimum value of R20,000 per month or an irrevocable retirement annuity or retirement account to the equivalent amount;
• A net worth of no less than R12 million providing an income of at least R15,000 per month.

Retired Person's Permit (Worker)

Documents to be submitted:

• See list of basic Requirements
• All the requirements listed under retired persons' permit above;
• Proof that a citizen or resident is not ready and willing to take up relevant employment.

Exchange Permits

An exchange permit is a permit issued to foreigners participating in a program of cultural, economic or social exchange organized or administered by an organ of state, public, higher education institution in conjunction with an organ of a state.

Kinds of Exchange Permits:

Exchange Permits for Educational Institutions

Documents to be submitted:

• See list of basic Requirements
• A letter from the Department of Education or public higher educational institution in South Africa confirming that it is responsible for organizing or administering the program, outlining the activities and its duration.  The letter from the Department of Education or public higher educational institution should also confirm that it will take full responsibility for the student in the Republic of South Africa;
• A letter from an organ of the foreign state, confirming the particulars of the student, including confirmation of the student's registration with a tertiary educational institution abroad, as well as the date on which the study will start.

Exchange Permits Cultural, Economic, Social Exchange

Documents to be submitted:

• See list of basic Requirements
• A letter from the organ of state confirming the status or existence of the exchange permit;
• A letter from the educational institution in the Republic of South Africa confirming that the permit holder, if a student, has been accepted to register in that institution (if applicable); or a letter from the entity, organization or family where the foreigner intends to conduct his/her program;
• A letter from an organ of foreign state confirming awareness of the exchange program;
• A letter from the sponsoring body responsible for the organizing or administering of the program, confirming that it will take responsibility for the permit holder while he/she is in the Republic of South Africa;
• Annual reports from the sponsoring body. The educational institution or organ of state must submit the reports.

Exchange Permits for Exchange Work Programmes

• See list of basic Requirements
• A letter from a prospective employer certifying compliance with, and providing responsibility to:
  • pay such foreigner remuneration (salary) which complies with applicable legal requirements;
  • provide for the welfare and needs of the foreigner while in South Africa;
  • report to the Department of Home Affairs failure of the foreigner to comply with the terms of his/her permit or to depart when so requested.
  • provide copy of job offer detailing the terms, conditions and duration of the intended employment.

Note: The holder of an exchange permit under this category may not conduct work other than the work for which the permit is issued. Such foreigner does not qualify for a temporary or permanent residence permit until he/she has spent two years outside the Republic of South Africa.  This requirement may be waived by the Department of Home Affairs in extraordinary circumstances.

Treaty Permit

This is a kind of a permit issued to a foreigner conducting activities in South Africa in terms of an international agreement to which South Africa is a party.

Documents to be submitted:

• See list of basic Requirements
• Letter from the relevant organ of state attesting to:
  • The nature of the programme and the treaty under which it is conducted;
  • The fact that the relevant foreigner participates in such programme;
  • The type of activities that the foreigner is expected to perform under such programme and the duration thereof and whether he or she is expected to conduct work.

Last Revised: Monday, May 05, 2008