SPOUSAL VISA

Start your life with your South African partner as well as having the freedom to work, study or start a business. See if you fit requirements to apply for a spousal visa below.

SPOUSAL VISA: SPOUSE / LIFE PARTNER OF A CITIZEN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT

Are you married to a South African and wishing to immigrate to South Africa? If your spouse or life partner is a South African Citizen or a Permanent Resident, you can apply for a South African Spousal Visa to be deemed eligible for immigration. Having a Spousal Visa will not only let you reside in South Africa with your spouse, but you will also be able to work, study or set up a business, which is a huge advantage. You may also qualify for Permanent Residency if you have been in a relationship with a South African citizen for five years or more, this applied to both married and unmarried couples.

If you are an unmarried couple but have been in a relationship with a South African Citizen for two years or more, you might qualify for a Life Partner Visa.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Spouse Visa in South Africa?

It is a temporary residence permit issued to the foreign spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident, allowing them to live in South Africa legally with their partner.

2. Who qualifies for a Spouse Visa?

Applicants must be legally married to a South African citizen or permanent resident. Common-law or customary marriages may also qualify if properly registered and recognised under South African law.

3. What documents are required for a Spouse Visa application?

Typical documents include:
Marriage certificate
Valid passports for both spouses
Proof of the South African spouse’s citizenship or permanent residence
Proof of the bona fide nature of the marriage (photos, communication records, joint finances)
Completed DHA application forms
Police clearance certificates
Medical and radiology reports

4. Can I work in South Africa on a Spouse Visa?

Yes. Spouse Visa holders are allowed to work or study in South Africa without needing a separate work or study permit.

5. How long is a Spouse Visa valid?

The visa is typically issued for initially 1 to 2 years, with the possibility of renewal. After a period (usually 5 years), spouses may apply for permanent residence.

6. Can my children be included in the Spouse Visa application?

Children under 21 and dependent on the spouse can be included as dependents in the visa application or apply separately for dependant visas.

7. How do I prove my marriage is genuine?

Applicants must provide evidence such as:

Photos together over time
Correspondence (emails, chats)
Joint bank accounts or leases
Affidavits from family and friends
Birth certificates of children (if any)

8. Can I apply for a Spouse Visa from within South Africa?

Yes, in certain cases, you can apply in-country if you are already legally in South Africa on another valid visa. Otherwise, initial applications are usually made at South African embassies or consulates abroad

9. What happens if my Spouse Visa application is refused?

You will receive reasons for refusal and may have the option to:

Appeal or request reconsideration
Reapply with additional evidence
Seek legal assistance for complex cases

10. Can the Spouse Visa lead to permanent residence?

Yes. After living in South Africa for a continuous period (generally 5 years), you can apply for permanent residence based on your marriage.

CONTACT US

Full Name(Required)

Contact Number

Email Address(Required)

Please select the visa category you require assistance with:(Required)

How old is the child?(Required)

Does the child's parent/ guardian have valid status within South Africa?(Required)

What is your marital status?(Required)

What is the status of your spouse?(Required)

What is the number of foreign nationals you are looking to employ?(Required)

CS - Do you currently have a formal offer of employment from a registered South African company?(Required)

CS - What is your highest level of Education?(Required)

CS - What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?(Required)

CS - How many years of work experience do you have?(Required)

CS - Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?(Required)

* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff

CS - In which country did you complete your highest qualification(Required)

CS - What position have you been offered(Required)

CS - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

GWV - What is your highest level of education?(Required)

GWV - In order to qualify for a General Work Visa, you must have an offer of employment from a South African employer. What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?(Required)

GWV - How many years of work experience do you have?(Required)

GWV - Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?(Required)

* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff

GWV - Are you proficient in one of South Africa's 11 official languages?(Required)

ICT - Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?(Required)

ICT - Have you been employed in your current position for longer than 6 months?(Required)

ICT - What is the expected duration of your secondment/ assignment?(Required)

RV - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

RV - What is the expiry date of your current visa(Required)

RV - Are you currently residing in South Africa?(Required)

RV - Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?(Required)

RWV - Are you currently employed by a foreign entity outside of South Africa?(Required)

RWV - Do you earn an annual salary exceeding R650,000? (UDS $37,000 / EUR 33,000)(Required)

RPV - Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least R1.8 million?(Required)

RPV - Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?(Required)

RPV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

STWA - What is the duration of your assignment in South Africa?(Required)

STWA - Does your current employer support your work in South Africa?(Required)

SV - Do you have an enrollment letter from a recognized learning institution?(Required)

SV - What level of education will you be completing in South Africa?(Required)

VV - What is your intention in South Africa?(Required)

VV - What is you intended duration of stay in South Africa?(Required)

RNW - What visa do you currently hold?(Required)

Please specify other(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current visa(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?(Required)

What is the expiry date of your current Intra Company Transfer Work Visa?(Required)

PR - What Visa do you currently hold for South Africa?(Required)

PR - Have you received a permanent offer of employment?(Required)

PR - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_CS - What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?(Required)

PR_CS - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_GWV - What is the expiry date of your current General Work Visa?(Required)

PR_GWV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_GWV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

PR_ICT - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_ICT - Have you been offered Permanent employment by a South African employer?(Required)

PR_RV - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

PR_RV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_RV - Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?(Required)

PR_RV - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_RPV - Do you receive an irrevocable income of at least R37,000 per month (Rental income, dividends, interest, pension, ect )(Required)

PR_RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least ZAR 1,8 million(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - How long have you resided in South Africa?(Required)

RV - What is the duration of your relationship?(Required)

PR_VV11(6) - What is the duration of your relationship?(Required)

Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000?(Required)

RPV - Do you have a net worth of at least R2.4 million?(Required)

RPV - Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?(Required)

RPV - Do you have accompanying family members?(Required)

Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?(Required)

PR - Do you have direct family members that are South African Citizens or Permanent Residence holders?(Required)

BV - Do you intend to establish or invest in a business in South Africa?(Required)

What type of business do you intend to operate or invest in?(Required)

BV - Are you able to invest a minimum of R5 million into the South African economy?(Required)

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GWV - Total Points(Required)

Country(Required)

Important Notice: Applications are accepted only from the countries listed below.

Please select the Visa Type you need to verify:(Required)

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SPOUSAL VISA

Start your life with your South African partner as well as having the freedom to work, study or start a business. See if you fit requirements to apply for a spousal visa below.

SPOUSAL VISA: SPOUSE / LIFE PARTNER OF A CITIZEN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

CONTACT US

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