What does it mean to be a permanent resident?
Before you can apply for citizenship, you must have held permanent residency for a minimum of five years, and you can only apply for permanent residency after you have been legally working or living in South Africa for a further five years on a temporary residency. While there are exceptions, this is the longer route to follow.
For example, if you are in South Africa on a general workers visa, you will qualify for temporary residence. After five years of living and working in the country, you can apply for permanent residency and live and work in South Africa for another five years, after which you are eligible to apply for citizenship.
However, if you are in possession of scarce skills or qualifications, you qualified for a critical skills visa, in which case you also qualify for a permanent residency permit right from the start. The same counts for spouses/ life partners/ relatives of a South African citizen or permanent residency permit holder living in South Africa.
The difference between permanent residency and citizenship
As a permanent resident, you can enjoy most of the benefits of a citizen. You will have freedom of movement within the country of South Africa, as well as across her borders. However, you won’t be able to hold a South African passport or cast your vote in the local government elections. While there are numerous benefits to having a permanent residency permit, it is still not a permanent arrangement.
Becoming a South African citizen will make your shift a more permanent one. Naturalisation can be a rewarding experience, particularly if you do not wish to remain in limbo, for the sake of your family’s well-being, as well as to provide certainty about your future. As a South African citizen, you will be able to vote in elections, carry a passport and make long-term plans around your citizenship status, such as buying a house through a bond application or a car.
Exceptions where applicant qualifies for permanent residency from the start:
- Retirees who can prove that they are able to sustain themselves in South Africa
- Relatives (first or second kin relatives of PR holder)
- Spouses or life partners (of PR permit holders)
- Entrepreneurs (in SA on a Business Visa)
- Skilled foreign immigrants (on a Critical Skills Visa)
Exceptions where applicant qualifies for citizenship from the start:
- Individuals in SA on Financially Independent Visas (applicant must prove that they can financially sustain themselves and their dependants)
- Spouses or life partners (of SA citizens)
- Relatives (first or second kin relatives of SA citizens)
- Individuals claiming citizenship by descent
The naturalisation application qualifying criteria:
- Proof that you have been continuously residing in SA for 1 year prior to application
- You have been a permanent resident for 5 years (unless qualifying by other means)
- Must be proficient in at least one of South Africa’s 11 official languages
- A valid SAPS police clearance report, which must still be within 6 months from date of issue
While citizenship seems like a lengthy process, there are ways to expedite this part of your application. An experienced immigration specialist with a sound knowledge about the residency and citizenship process in South Africa can save you a lot of time and effort in preparing and submitting your applications through the Department of Home Affairs.
