To live in South Africa as a temporary resident, you must apply for a temporary residence visa. If you are granted the visa, you must obtain your temporary residence permit after you enter the country, which shows your right to stay for longer than 90 days. Depending on your reason for traveling to South Africa, there are several different types of temporary residence permits.
What Is a Temporary Residence Visa?
A temporary residence visa is granted to foreign nationals who wish to stay in South Africa for a more extended period of time than 90 days. This could be for various reasons, such as studying, joining a family member, or even working. Each type of temporary visa and permit has its own conditions and eligibility criteria.
Types of Temporary Residency Visas
The Immigration Act provides temporary residence permits for various visa categories, such as:
- Visitor’s visas for activities longer than 90 days.
- Study visas.
- Business visas.
- Medical treatment visas.
- Relative visas.
- Work visas.
- Retired person visas.
- Exchange visas.
How To Apply for a Temporary Residence Visa in South Africa?
To apply for a temporary residence visa in South Africa, you must follow the steps below:
Step 1. Select Your Visa Type
First, you must choose the correct visa type you need depending on your situation, and prepare the documents accordingly. It’s also important to remember that a change of status for a temporary visa is no longer available in South Africa, so you must carefully select the correct visa type and apply for the one you need.
Step 2. Schedule an Appointment With an Embassy/Consulate
Then, you must set up an appointment with the nearest embassy or consulate representing South Africa in your country. To submit your application for a temporary visa, you need a prior appointment. Please remember that you may be required to apply via another office representing South Africa if a diplomatic mission is missing in your country.
Step 3. Prepare Your Documents
Depending on which temporary residence visa you apply for, you need to prepare several documents which may differ. Some documents may require translation and be notarized, for example, your birth or marriage certificate. So assemble and prepare your documents carefully on time for your appointment.
Step 4. Submit Your Application
On the day of your appointment, you must submit your documents to start your application process. The embassy or consulate staff may ask you to attend a brief interview to understand your intentions of immigrating to South Africa. After you submit your application, you must wait patiently while your visa is processed.
If your application is successful, you can enter South Africa and stay as long as your visa is valid. Then, you must obtain your temporary resident permit from the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa. For this process, you must contact the nearest immigration office to you and receive instructions.
Step 5. Requirements for Temporary Residence Visa
To apply for a temporary residence permit, you must submit the following documents:
- Application form. Please submit a completed and signed application form for your temporary residence permit.
- You must provide your passport with a validity period of no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit.
- One recent passport photograph. Include a passport photograph you’ve taken in the last six months according to the Department of Home Affairs guidelines.
- Yellow fever vaccine certificate. Please submit proof of vaccination against yellow fever— if required.
- Police certificate. You must also submit a police certificate obtained from every country where you have lived for more than 12 months.
- Medical and radiology reports. You must submit medical and radiology certificates not older than six months, but remember that radiology reports are not mandatory for pregnant women and children under 12.
- Civil status documents. You must submit civil status documents such as marriage and divorce certificates (if applicable), a birth certificate, proof of name change (if applicable), etc.
- Proof of relationship. If you’re bringing your partner with you but are not married, you must submit proof of your relationship.
- For a minor applicant:
- An unabridged birth certificate.
- Proof of custody for the minor.
- Content from the parents of the minor.
- A marriage certificate.
- Proof of legal adoption.
Please note that to complete your application, you must attach additional supporting documents depending on which type of temporary residency visa you have applied for.
Supporting documents for a study permit include:
If you’ve applied for a temporary residence permit on the basis of study you need the following documents:
- Official letter from the educational institution, which should state:
- The nature of the course you will be taking,
- Any applicable language proficiency requirements
- Details about accommodation
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, maintenance, and incidental costs.
Supporting documents for a business permit:
For a South Africa business visa — one that leads to temporary residence— you must provide the following additional documentation:
- Proof that you have the available funds for transfer from abroad.
- Certification by a chartered account that the applicant will have at least R2,5 million (approx. USD 145,321) value invested as part of the book value of the business.
- Written partner agreements which should include full details of their partners/directors and their residential status in South Africa.
- Proof of registration as a closed corporation or company.
- Documentation to prove investments, whether in shareholders or partnership agreements for an investment in an existing business.
- Proof of planned registration with the relevant body, required by the nature of the business.
- Audited financial statements to prove the viability of the business (if this is an existing business).
- An undertaking to comply with the registration requirements.
Supporting documents for a medical treatment permit include:
A South Africa medical visa is usually issued for less than 90 days, however, in specific cases where the medical treatment requires a longer stay, applicants can obtain a temporary residence permit for which they need the following documents:
- Valid passport.
- Proof of financial means to cover day-to-day needs in the form of bank. statements, salary advices, and/or traveler’s cheques.
- Letter from the applicant’s medical practitioner stating the reason/necessity of the treatment, the period of the treatment, and the details about the treatment plans in South Africa.
- Details of the person who will be responsible for the medical expenses and hospital fees, if any.
Supporting documents for a general work permit include:
The application for a work permit must be accompanied by the additional documents:
- Copy of the employment contract containing the signatures of both the employer and employee and the terms and conditions of employment should be included as well.
- Proof that all shortlisted candidates have been interviewed.
- A letter of motivation from the employer, including documentary proof of efforts made to obtain the services of a citizen/resident.
- Certification of the applicant’s skills, qualifications, or experience.
- Proof of registration with the professional body/board.
- Letter of approval from the:
- Relevant professional body/board/council
- The Department of Labor
- The relevant organ of the state
- Certification from a chartered accountant that salary benefits are not inferior to those prevailing for South African citizens/residents.
Supporting documents for a relative’s permit include:
For a relative’s visa submit the additional documents:
- Proof that the foreigner is a member of the immediate family of the sponsoring citizen or resident.
- Certification by a chartered accountant confirming the sponsor’s means of support.
Can I Extend my Temporary Residence Visa?
Yes, you can. If you wish to extend/renew a temporary residence visa, you must demonstrate that you still meet the eligibility requirements of the visa you possess— even if there are new requirements.
For example, if you have a business visa you must prove that the capital and number of employees which were specified in the original business plan has been adhered to and the business is making a profit. Similarly, if you wish to extend/renew a temporary retired person visa, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the period you wish to extend your visa for.
No matter what type of visa you wish to renew/extend, you must submit an application to the nearest Home Affairs office or visa application center at least 60 days before your current permit expires.
How Much Does a Temporary Residence Visa Cost?
Temporary residence visa fees vary depending on which type of visa you applied for:
| Type of Permit | Fee in South African Rand | Fee in USD |
| General Work Permit | 1520 | (approx.) 88 |
| Relatives Visa (minor child) | Free of charge | Free of charge |
| Relatives Visa (adult child) | 425 | (approx.) 24 |
| Retirement Permit | 425 | (approx.) 24 |
| Business Permit | 1520 | (approx.) 88 |
| Study Permit | 425 | (approx.) 24 |
Please note that visa-fees are non-refundable even in case of visa denial.
Where Can I Apply For a Temporary Residence Visa?
Applicants are required to submit an application for a temporary residence visa in person to South African diplomatic representatives in their home country. If there is no South African diplomatic representation in the applicant’s country of origin, they must apply at a South African diplomatic representative in a neighboring country instead.
Duration of Temporary Residence visas
The duration of a Temporary residence visa depends on the type of visa.
| Business Visa | Issued for a period from 12 months to the expiry date of the applicant’s passport. |
| Work Visa | Issued for a two-year period (depending on the employment offer). |
| Study Visa | Issued for the period of the study course. |
| Retired persons Visa | Maximum of 4 years. |
| Relative Visa | Usually issued for between 2-4 years. |
What Happens When a Temporary Residency Visa Expires?
If you hold a temporary residency visa, you are entitled to renew your visa as long as you meet the requirements. In most cases, it is also possible to apply for a permanent residence visa. Usually, however, to obtain a permanent residence visa you must have lived in the country for a minimum of five years (this may vary depending on the type of the visa).
Can I Apply for a Change of Status on a Temporary Residence Visa?
If you have entered South Africa with a visitor’s visa, you cannot apply for a status change and obtain a temporary residence permit. For example, if you enter the country for the sole purpose of visiting a family member you cannot apply for a relative visa— to do so you must return to your home country and apply for a temporary residence permit (relative visa in this case) following the correct procedure.
However, if you possess a valid temporary residence visa, you may be permitted to change status. For example, if you’re a student but found employment in the country you may apply for a work visa. But you are strongly advised to contact the Department of Home Affairs for more information before applying for a status change.