How to Become A Permanent Resident In South Africa

Permanent residency is a person’s legal resident status in a country or territory of which such person is not a citizen but where they have the right to reside on a permanent basis.

What makes someone a permanent resident?

A Green Card holder (permanent resident) is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the South Africa on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, S.A Citizenship and Immigration Services ( SACIS) grants a person a permanent resident card, commonly called a “Green Card.”

Can you have 2 permanent residents?

You can have dual citizenship, but dual permanent residency would require you to maintain a primary residence in both countries at the same time.

What counts as permanent residency?

A lawful permanent resident is someone who has been granted the right to live in the South Africa for an indefinite time; possibly their entire life. Permanent residents are given what’s known as a “green card,” which is a photo ID card that proves their status.

5 Big South African Permanent Residency benefits

1. Greater flexibility

As mentioned, permanent residents are free to work, study, and start a business. This means you can:

Move employers as you wish.

Take up any sort of studies, even part-time or short courses. The South African study visa only allows for full-time studies.

Set up a business, if you so wish, without having to first apply for a visa.

2. Greater security

Permanent residents don’t have to renew their permits. The uncertainty and angst that comes with having to wait for a visa outcome are thus eliminated.

3. No more visa application admin

Gathering the necessary paperwork is most people’s least favourite part of a visa application. It’s doesn’t stop there either. You are also expected to ensure that certain documents stay up to date.

All of this admin is a thing of the past once you are a permanent resident!

4. No more money spent on visa applications

Seeing as you’re not doing any further applications to stay in South Africa, you also won’t have to spend more money on continuing your stay in the country.

5. Permanent residence for family members

Your family members can also apply for permanent residency. They can either submit their application with your application or once your permanent residency permit has been issued.

Now the question that’s on your mind if you don’t already kno

What is the South African permanent residence application processing time?

The Department of Home Affairs currently takes up to 24 months to process permanent residence applicants. Unfortunately, there is no way to hurry up an application.

However, considering the South African permanent residency benefits listed above, it is worth the wait. Even though it may be frustrating!

Permanent Residence Permit for South Africa

What is a permanent resident permit in relation to South Africa?

South African law provides for two kinds of visa categories temporary and permanent. A temporary status is called a visa and a permanent residence dispensation is called a permit.

Why would someone need permanent residence?

For a foreigner who intends to come and reside in South Africa on an indefinite permanent basis, they are well advised to apply for a permanent residence permit. To do so they need a long-term temporary residence visa.

How do you apply for a permanent residence permit in South Africa?

Once a foreigner is in South Africa on a long-term temporary residence visa enabling him or her to apply, he or she will be eligible to apply for permanent residence in a category they comply with.

Short-term  and long-term visitor visa holders are not eligible to apply for permanent residence from within South Africa unless exceptional circumstances as regulated apply.  Spousal-based visitor visa holders may however apply for permanent residence.

The submission category of a permanent residence permit application may, in some cases, also determine the type of long-term visa the foreigner must hold to comply with the permanent residence application’s specific requirements.

Applications for permanent residence made in terms of sec 26(a) of the Immigration Act for instance, require the foreign applicant to be in possession of a work category visa at the time of submission.

Applications made in terms of sec 27(b) of the Act require the foreign applicant to be in possession of a critical skills work visa.  No minimum period of work in South Africa is required to comply with this category of permanent residence.

If I studied in South Africa can I apply for permanent residence in South Africa?

Having studied in South Africa alone does not make a foreigner eligible to apply for permanent residence in South Africa.

Foreign graduates of South African tertiary institutions who graduate in the area of critical skills are eligible to apply for permanent residence with no delay in terms of sec 27(b) of the Immigration Act.  The Minister of Home Affairs has granted these students a special waiver in April .

If you were born in South Africa of foreign parents and if your birth was registered with the Department of Home Affairs, upon turning 18 years of age if you have lived in South Africa since your birth, you may be eligible to apply for South African citizenship by naturalization.

Can I lose permanent residence in South Africa?

Each permanent residence permit certificate is issued, based on category of submission, with specific conditions which are endorsed on the certificate. Permanent residence permit holders are advised to read carefully the conditions and when necessary to seek professional advice.

For instance:

A permanent residence permit issued to the spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident shall lapse if at any time within two years from the issuing of that permanent residence permit the good faith spousal relationship no longer subsists, save for the case of death. As per section 26(b) of the Immigration Act.

A permanent residence permit issued to the child under the age of 21 of a citizen or permanent resident “shall lapse if such foreigner does not submit an application for its confirmation within two years of his or her having turned 18 years of age.  As per section 26(c) of the Immigration Act.

A permanent residence permit issued on the basis of a business shall lapse if the holder fails to prove within two years of the issuance of the permanent residence permit and three years thereafter, to the satisfaction of the Director-General, that the prescribed financial contribution to be part of the intended book value is still invested.  As per section 27(c) of the Immigration Act.

How long does it take to get permanent residency in South Africa?

This depends on the category of visa application; however applications have a minimum processing time of 8-10 weeks for Temporary Residence Permit applications and 8 – 10 months for Permanent Residence Permit applications.

Does South African permanent residency expire?

Permanent residency differs from temporary residency in two distinct ways: As a permanent resident, you can reside, work, study and start a business freely in South Africa. Permanent residence does not expire and remains valid indefinitely. You must simply enter South Africa once every three years.

What are the requirements for permanent residency In South Africa?

Who is eligible for resident status?

Marriage or unmarried partner to UK citizen: 2 years.

Lawful stay on any basis (long stay): 10 years.

Unlawful stay: 14 years.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 work permit: 5 years.

Investor, sportsperson, business owner, arts: 5 years.

Ancestry: 5 years.

How can a foreigner become a South African citizen?

You can acquire South African citizenship in 3 ways; by birth, descent and naturalization.

These include the right to:

Vote.

Be issued with a South African passport.

Come into South Africa after living somewhere else.

Can I stay on green card forever In South Africa?

Once you become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), you maintain permanent resident status until you: Apply for and complete the naturalization process; or. Lose or abandon your status.

How long can a permanent resident be out of the country In South Africa?

As a permanent resident or conditional permanent resident you can travel outside the United States for up to 6 months without losing your green card.

Can you be a permanent resident of more than one country In South Africa?

The question here is can I have permanent residency in more than one country? Yes. You can.

Can I stay a permanent resident forever?

A Green Card is Forever

Though the 10-year green card can be renewed, there are immense benefits at that point to apply for naturalization. It’s only slightly more expensive to apply for naturalization and the LPR will avoid any future hassle of renewing their green card again.

Can an asylum seeker apply for permanent residence in South Africa?

If your asylum application is approved, you will be given a Section 24 permit (also known as a “Refugee Permit”) which officially recognizes you as a refugee and is valid for two years. You can apply for a permanent residence permit if you have lived in South Africa for more than five years on a refugee status permit.

Can a permanent resident get a South African passport?

As a permanent resident, you have most of the rights and responsibilities of a South African citizen. You will not be able to obtain a South African passport nor be able to vote in South African government elections. After receiving your permanent residence certificate, you are obliged to apply for a SA Identity Card.